The tennis season has begun on the Hilltop for both the men’s and women’s team, as this newfound season has brought much excitement for students across the West Liberty University campus. After the cancellation of spring sports due to the COVID-19 pandemic, not only West Liberty, but other teams across the Mountain East Conference, have been filled with anticipation to begin competing once more.

The West Liberty University men’s tennis team went 11-11 in 2019, and held a 3-4 record last year before the cancellation of the 2020 season. After beginning their season on Feb. 20, the Hilltoppers have since then gone 1-2, with their lone victory coming against West Virginia Wesleyan. With two of their possible five matches already being postponed, the Hilltoppers are crossing their fingers they can play out their remaining nine matches. Although there are only eight players to the men’s roster, there is certainly not a lack of leadership within the team. Among said leaders is senior Anton Schulz from Menden, Germany, and junior Nick Millner from Inwood, West Virginia. These two leaders are the core of the West Liberty team, and help provide a model for others to follow. The team is full of youth and talent with student-athletes coming from all corners of the globe.

The Lady Hilltoppers began their season on Feb. 27, winning their first contest over California University of Pennsylvania. After going 14-9 in 2019 and 8-1 in 2020, the WLU women’s team looks forward to finding their rhythm once more, and perhaps even making a bid for the MEC Championship. The Lady Toppers have been on the better end of postponements this season, and look forward to playing every one of their thirteen remaining regular season games. This Hilltoppers team features nine players, led by graduate student Carleyah Mclean from Pickering, Ontario.

It will be exciting to see how this season plays out for both the men’s and women’s Hilltopper tennis teams. As many are resuming action, expect the Hilltoppers to potentially make a deep championship run in early May.