BYU-Hawaii women’s tennis team once again advanced to the National Collegiate Athletic Association Championship. Team members said playing the match at a higher elevation will be their challenge for this championship.
According to tennis player Nannan “Dallas” Zhang, a junior from China majoring in accounting, it was not the first time the team advanced to the NCAA championship. “We advanced to the championship every year, and we won the third prize in NCAA championship last year,” Zhang said.
Zhang said BYUH women’s tennis team is stronger this year as it gained two new players. “I am confident that we have better chance to win the first prize this year,” she said.
The team flew to Denver, Colo. May 14 to begin their training. According to player Jeong Min, a junior from South Korea majoring in international cultural studies, the most challenging part would be getting used to the plateau terrain of Denver.
BYUH men’s tennis player Wade F. Lee mentioned their coach bought special masks to train the BYUH women’s tennis team.“It’s harder to breathe with those masks, just like when you are at a plateau,” Lee explained.
When it comes to the focus of following training, Zhang said players’ stamina is crucial. She explained how playing tennis close to sea level is different than playing at a higher elevation. It is more energy consuming.
Zhang emphasized, “We have capability to win, but our attitude is important. We should take it seriously, but don’t stress ourselves out.” “I don’t want to die in Denver!” Min jokingly said. She said she is worried about playing the match on in the mountains, but she also feels confident and prepared.
BYUH women’s tennis team defeated opponents in Pacific West Conference in April 2016, advancing to NCAA championship. Twelve teams competed in PacWest conference and only the first and second teams could get into national competition. The team is No. 1 in the West region of division two, according to www.ncaa.com.