The Mercyhurst women’s tennis team is off to a 5-0 start during the 2012 fall season. While the spring season still lies ahead in 2013, the Lakers have had solid play thus far.

After losing only one senior to graduation, the team has been able to easily replace the lost player and continue the quest to return to nationals.

“Being off to a 5-0 start has really boosted the team’s confidence,” said senior Caitlyn Null. “Everyone has been playing at their top level, and we must maintain this for the spring season.”

The Lakers most recently defeated Shippensburg University 9-0, in a fall crossover contest.

Juniors Caroline Bristol and Courtney Thompson and sophomores Sarah Baich and Katelyn Caniford each pulled out a 6-0, 6-0 performance in singles play. In doubles play, the duos of Bristol/Baich and Caniford/Taylor Wedlake (sophomore) recorded shut outs in two of the three matches.

Head coach Jerome Simon is impressed with his team’s play in the fall season, but is most excited for what is ahead.

“This is a great start, but the best lies in front of us to achieve our goal of returning to nationals,” said Simon. “We will continue to work on our conditioning for the spring season as this will determine many of our matches in the spring.”

As the Lakers’ fall season concluded with cancellations, the team will next be in action in late February 2013.