Women’s Tennis – Houghton STAR

By Anna Huizenga ('26)

This upcoming Saturday, three Houghton athletic teams will be up against Russell Sage College, Hartwick College and Utica University.

The women’s tennis team got a big win against Utica when they defeated them 9-0 last Saturday, which was an encouraging start to conference play after a tough season last year.

“I am most excited for conference matches this season to see how much we’ve improved since last fall 2023,” Arija Grant (‘26), a member of the tennis team, shared. “I love working hard with such a great group of people where we all encourage and push each other to be better tennis players and people. Van rides with the team are also a highlight of [the] tennis season.”

Their first win was last Saturday against Utica where they “snapped an 18 game loss streak.” Head Coach Jordan Crouch said the tennis team was on their “way for a great season.”

“It’s been a long time coming,” Crouch said, “but this team has been working hard to build upon the rich athletic history here at Houghton.”

With a 5-0 record, women’s field hockey is already proving themselves to be a dominant team as they enter conference play this weekend. Hartwick has been a tough opponent in past seasons, making this upcoming match extra intense.

“I am so excited to see how far our team can go,” Deborah Cross, a senior on the team, shared. “I truly believe that we can win the E8 championships!”

The field hockey team has been practicing hard to improve different skills. Cross said that they are seeing a lot of progress on the field, giving them reason to believe that they can push harder and achieve their goals this season.

The women’s soccer team is also off to a promising start. In their first conference game last Wednesday, they beat Hilbert 5-0 with goals from four different players.

Head Coach Esther Pellegrino has confidence in the team’s ability to succeed this season, mentioning the team’s great results when they won against No.25 Penn State Behrend last Saturday.

“It’s always the most fun as a coach to see how the new players fit in and also to see the work that the returners have put in in the off season paying off,” Pellegrino shared. “I’m encouraged by the amount of growth I’ve seen on the field as well as off the field already. This team shows up each day to compete hard and invest well.”

Aivery Shuck (‘26) appreciates being a part of the women’s soccer team and the wider Houghton Athletics community. “Houghton athletics is such an important part of campus; it brings people together and unites many of us with our shared love of sports,” she said. “We have built a program based on love and integrity, and the knowledge that all the glory we gain on the field goes to God.”

This weekend will be full of great competition as the Highlanders give it their all on the courts and fields, with women’s tennis playing Russell Sage at the outdoor courts at 12 p.m., women’s field hockey is going up against Hartwick at Burke Field at 1 p.m., and at 3:30 p.m., women’s soccer is facing Utica on at the field. ★

In their second season headed by Coach Charlie Ellis, the women’s tennis team welcomes seven new players to their roster. The recruits include five first years, one junior transfer, and one senior who did not play on the team during their first season. “The [new players] definitely bring a new culture to the tennis team,” says senior captain, Jennifer Iacucci, “since they are so young and [are] learning at a rapid pace, they have a bright future.”

Senior, Jennifer Mechler, said, “[Our bigger team] brings more competition, more resilience.” The returners have improved and they are able to teach the new players who have high school experience. Iacucci commented that, “Skills have gotten better, confidence levels have grown, and [they are gaining an] understanding of collegiate tennis.” However, not everyone is able to travel when they have away games. Coach Ellis maintains that the team, “plays together competitively every day. [He plays] everybody in exhibition matches to get experience.”

“All the returners are with new players so even [if] they are not playing, they can still be a part of the team,” said junior captain, Bethany Chesebro. The women’s tennis team arrived early before school started for preseason among other fall sports. Iacucci said, “It was easier to have good team chemistry during preseason. We are intentional about the time we spend together.”

The women’s tennis team is currently 2-6 overall, but these scores do not show the improvements they have made from last season. This year, the team is able to conduct themselves better in matches because they know the rules and know what to expect. Coach Ellis’ main goal was to win at least two matches and they have already achieved that. Iacucci shared the team’s main goals are to: “slowly work [their] way up the ladder in each match, [win] at least individual matches, be friendly, have the highest team GPA on campus, be a well-rounded team, and [be] visible and supportive of [each other] in all that [they] do.”

Throughout the year, the team aspires to grow spiritually as well. Before matches, they invite their opponents to pray with them so everyone remembers they are playing for the glory of God. Prayer as a group and with their prayer partners is a big part of their devotionals, headed by the team chaplain, senior, Andrea Melhorn. “Prayer partners are a good idea because you can hold someone accountable,” said Chesebro. Beyond attending church and doing devotions together, they are currently planning a mission’s trip to the Dominican Republic for preseason next year.

Since the start of this season, women’s tennis has shown signs of progression and improvement. Chesebro said, “He exposes us to competitive play and it has helped us because we are now able to compete with other teams in the conference.” However, Coach Ellis wants his girls to know that being competitive is not their sole focus as a team so they should not walk away discouraged from any match. He does not see the girls just as tennis players, but is invested in their lives off the court. Coach Ellis wants, “[His seniors] to enjoy their last year and to pass on the culture [they have] created to the new players by respecting one another, being thankful for what God’s given [them], honoring what [they] are doing, and not being self-centered.”