Familiar faces could await Hoosiers at NCAAs

Anxiously awaiting their NCAA seed, the women’s tennis team sat on faded burgundy couches crowded around the large TV monitor.\nThey weren’t alone in their apprehension. Only minutes earlier the men’s team had been in the same position. As the screen changed to announce the seeds, disappointing sighs reverberated through the IU Tennis Center. The TV showed the Hoosiers would face No. 39 Louisville in the first round. However, if they beat the Cardinals they will possibly take on the top seed in their conference and the nation, Northwestern.\nIf they advance, it will not be IU’s first time competing against Northwestern. The Hoosiers lost 6-1 to the Wildcats in April and 4-1 to them in last year’s tournament.\nJunior Sigrid Fischer said she had hoped the team would have the chance to play a new team in the second round. However, Northwestern’s familiarity will benefit IU, Fischer said.\n“It helps that we have notes on them, that we know the players, that we can imagine what the matchups will be,” Fischer said. “It’s always great to play the No. 1 team in the country. (But) you want to play somebody else. You want to get more experience.”\nAfter the announcement, associate head coach Ramiro Azcui gathered the players and trainers in a tight circle. He opened a box and presented senior captain Brianna Williams with a ring commemorating her four years on the team. \nWilliams joked, “I feel like I’m being proposed to.”\nLater Williams said she is excited to compete in the tournament, but also bittersweet as she reminisced about her tennis swan song.\n“It’s definitely kind of sad,” Williams said. “This is the finale of a whole college career.”\nIU coach Lin Loring said the NCAA Tournament will be relaxing for the players, who will not have to juggle academics and competition. \n“There’s a lot less pressure on us in this tournament because our goal all season was to get to this tournament,” Loring said. “So once you’re there it’s kind of the icing on the cake.”\nHaving competed well in the Big Ten Tournament, the Hoosiers are feeling optimistic heading into May’s matches. \n“I think we’re confident because we played a really good match against Michigan,” Loring said. “If we can play at that level we can have a lot of success against Louisville. Our main effort the rest of this week will be trying to find out whatever we can about Louisville and preparing for them.” \nA disadvantage for the Hoosiers could be their inexperience. With four freshmen, the team is lacking veterans who have competed in the NCAA Tournament before. \nHowever, freshman Myriam Sopel said she felt confident about IU’s chances. Despite the team’s young age, their confidence is not lacking.\n“We’re going to compete well,” Sopel said. “We’re ready for it. We’re really close to each other, and I think it’s going to be a good test for us.”\nAs the only senior on the team, Williams has seen plenty of tournaments. If there is one thing she has learned, it is that every team can be upset if they lose their focus.\n“We definitely have a great opportunity to play Louisville and Northwestern,” Williams said. “Obviously that’s going to be a tough challenge for us. But any given day, any team can beat anybody.”\nThe Hoosiers will play Louisville on May 9. The second round would begin for IU on May 10.