The Pratt Community College tennis team is set to kick off their spring 2024 season this Saturday, January 27 at Kansas Wesleyan University. Traditionally the team does not open their season until the first part of February, but with the availability of indoor courts they are traveling to Salina, Kan. to get an early start. 

"It's really nice to spread out the competition with more recovery time in between matches especially early in the season with injuries and sickness," said head tennis coach Jeret Johnson.  

The men's team had a solid fall season defeating William Woods, Colorado College, Colorado Mesa University, Bethel College and winning the Pratt Invite. The team returns four sophomores from last season's top ten finish at the NJCAA men's tennis championships including Stefan Aigner, Alex Ballinger, Gabriel Cuenca, and Valentino Iveli. The top of the lineup card will feature freshman Alexi Khamartu, Simeon Latinchev, and Martin Despodov.  

"We have a lot of talent on the team this year," said coach Johnson. "We have some good sophomore leadership on the team, and we are hoping to get some more early season experience for the freshman, so we are able to peak at the right time."  

On the women's side the team faced William Woods and Bethel College in a close 5-4 match. The team also hosted Newman University and McPherson College at this year's Pratt Invite. The women currently have five players on the roster including sophomores Emily Ryan and Olivet Shove and freshman Sienna Glazbrook, Yamile Mendoza, and Tabitha Pauly.  

"It is a lot of tough competition on the women's side this year. Losing a couple of players really hurts a lot as well," said coach Johnson. "We are continuing to improve and work every day and that is our expectation moving forward."  

Up next for the men is a trip to Emporia State, University of Nebraska-Omaha, and the University of Nebraska-Kearney on the weekend of February 2-4. Both the men and the women will travel to Tabor College on February 6.