RELENTLESS

The Georgia Southern women’s tennis team made history in the 2023 season, achieving a program-first ITA national ranking and tying the school record with 19 wins. This milestone season is a testament to the team’s resilience and relentless pursuit of excellence.

The Eagles’ success was not an overnight phenomenon. They have been on an upward trajectory, winning 50 matches over the past three seasons, the most in any three-year stretch in the program’s history. Their dominance at the Wallis Tennis Center was particularly noteworthy, with a formidable 28-5 home record.

In an interview, Head Coach Sean McCaffrey reflected on the season, stating, “Overall I am very proud of the work we put in this past year. On the tennis side, I am beyond proud of the job the entire team put in over the last year.”

The Eagles’ season was marked by several standout performances. In March, they earned their first-ever ITA National Ranking, coming in at No. 74. They continued their impressive run, handing James Madison its only Sun Belt loss of the season with a 4-3 victory on April 14. This win set the stage for a thrilling comeback in the Sun Belt semifinals against App State, where the Eagles overcame a 3-0 deficit and fought off eight match points.

McCaffrey shared his excitement about the team’s resilience, stating, “Earning our first national ranking was great, and earning 19 wins on the season was also a nice feather in the cap. However, what I am most excited for is watching our three first-year women come through in the most important match of the year and demonstrate to everyone what Georgia Southern ‘resiliency’ and that ‘relentless’ attitude is all about.”

Three Eagles were recognized with All-Sun Belt Conference honors. Junior Silvia Martinez and freshman Ana Tsitavets earned All-Conference singles honors, while Martinez and graduate student Liv Ryan were awarded All-Conference doubles honors. Martinez’s achievement was particularly notable, as she became the first Eagle to earn first-team All-Conference honors twice from the Sun Belt.

Despite their impressive season, the Eagles’ journey in the 2023 Sun Belt Conference Tournament was halted in the semifinals by top-seeded and No. 33-ranked Old Dominion. Nevertheless, the team’s 19-6 overall record tied the school’s single-season win record set in 2021, underscoring the team’s remarkable progress.

Looking ahead, the future of the Georgia Southern women’s tennis program is bright. With the entire team returning for the 2024 season, including Liv Ryan in a coaching role, the Eagles are poised for continued success. McCaffrey expressed his optimism, saying, “Knowing that being resilient has been our calling card for the last six years and seeing the torch passed along to the younger women really gives me a ton of excitement for where this program is going.”

As the Eagles prepare for the next season, they carry with them the lessons learned, the victories earned, and the promise of even greater achievements to come. To the Eagle Nation, Coach McCaffrey’s message is clear: “We will for sure be back and continue to grow for 23/24!”

— Photos by AJ Henderson