By Audrey Richardson
Staff Writer
The College of Wooster women’s tennis team took its first loss of the season, 5-2, against Kalamazoo College on Sunday, Feb. 16, at Aspen Racquet Tennis Club. Despite the setback, the Scots kept their energy high throughout the match, showing resilience and determination against a strong opponent.
Kalamazoo put up a hard fight, making it difficult for Wooster to find momentum early on. The Scots battled through long rallies and intense points, but ultimately, the Hornets’ precise shot placement and powerful serves gave them the edge.
Kamila Kadirova ’28 secured Wooster’s first point with a hard-fought victory at No. 6 singles. She dominated the first set but had to battle to close out the match, earning a 6-0, 7-5 win. Reflecting on her match, Kadirova emphasized the importance of perseverance.
“My biggest takeaway was how you don’t need to give up. My opponent only needed one more game to win, but then I took everything in my hands and said to myself, ‘I need to win this,’ and needed to put effort into every single point and do what needs to be done. After that, I didn’t give her any win,” Kadirova said.
At the No. 1 flight, Janaki Jagannathan ’25 fought through a tough second set before bouncing back to claim a 7-5, 2-6, 6-1 victory. This win marked Jagannathan’s 53rd career singles victory, tying her for second-most in program history — an impressive milestone in her collegiate career.
In singles play, the Scots put up numerous strong efforts but fell in straight sets. At No. 2, Stephanie Murarus ’28 lost 6-2, 6-1, while Elyse Errington ’28 fell 6-2, 6-2 at No. 3. Jade Adkins ’28 took a 6-3, 6-2 loss at No. 4, and Naledi Jani ’27 was defeated 6-3, 6-1 at No. 5.
Wooster lost a crucial early point by getting swept in doubles play. The No. 1 team of Jagannathan and Errington, along with the No. 3 duo of Kadirova and Adkins, fought hard but ultimately fell 6-4. The No. 2 pairing of Sarah Mashaal ’26 and Murarus struggled against tough competition and lost 6-0.
Despite the loss, the Scots maintained high energy and supported each other throughout the match, demonstrating their close-knit team dynamic. “We were cheering and screaming as we came onto the court,” said Jani. “We kept encouraging each other after every single point.” Looking ahead, the team is focused on making adjustments and refining their strategy to play in a more aggressive style.
“We want to be more attacking. A lot of us are very defensive players, so we need to focus on being more aggressive,” Jani added.
Beyond competition, the team values the bonds they’re building together and will continue to foster a positive and supportive environment. Their strong camaraderie helps them push through challenges and maintain a resilient mindset.
“They’re the kind of people who lift each other’s spirits while maintaining a winning mentality,” said Adkins.
With this result, Wooster moves to 2-1 on the season and will take on John Carroll University this Saturday, Feb. 22, at The Wembley Club in Chagrin Falls. Go Scots!