Thomas Parsons

Junior business and marketing double major Zeynep Ege serves with power and precision in her doubles match.

On Feb. 7, the Texas Wesleyan Lady Rams tennis team competed against the Angelo State University Rambelles (Belles) in exhibition singles and doubles matches at the Arlington Tennis Center.  

 Coming off a team victory against the College of Idaho on Feb. 1, the Lady Rams went to work against the Division II ranked Rambelles. Regardless of the ranking or toughness of their opponent, the Lady Rams were fired up and ready to compete.  

“I try to treat every opponent the same, and it helps me play better,” Kaja Brunzlow, senior mass communication major, said. “It’s my last season, and I wanted to compete for my team and with my team, and I think we did a good job at it.” 

The Lady Rams battled ferociously throughout as they kept up with the Belles’ toughness and energy . Players like junior general business and supply chain management major Paulina Hudson, and junior business and marketing major Zeynep Ege played a competitive doubles match that came down to a tiebreaker. In the end, Ege and Hudson came up short. 

“They competed really well,” Lady Rams head tennis coach Wade Morgan said. “We had our opportunities; we just have to know how to close out matches.” 

Ege followed the doubles loss with a competitive and exciting singles match. Unfortunately she lost her singles match in two sets out of three. She added that some points were hard to come by in the first set. 

“I really enjoyed the match today, and the first set was really competitive,” Ege said.

“I got frustrated [with] some points, specifically for the first set because it was really competitive.”  

Playing a Division II opponent is a perfect opportunity to see what improvements can be made for the rest of the spring season. Rams head tennis coach Wade Morgan said the team has much to improve after playing a tough opponent in the Rambelles. 

“Anytime you face a really tough opponent like Angelo State, a Division II caliber opponent, they expose you,” Morgan said. “We just have to get better overall.” 

The Rambelles brought energy and sportsmanship that captivated the Lady Rams. Brunzlow said their attributes can be something to emulate as the season progresses.  

“They were supporting each other very loud and clear until the end,” Brunzlow said. “That is something that we definitely want to work on. But, in the end it was a friendly and respectful match.” 

The Lady Rams’ next home match will be against the Jacksonville College Jaguars at the Arlington Tennis Center on Feb. 13 at 1p.m.