by The Cowl Editor on April 19, 2018
Friar Sports
By Eileen Flynn ’20
Sports Staff
The Providence College Women’s Tennis Team wrapped up their regular season play this past Thursday, April 12, on their home court. After a season full of indoor matches, the brisk air was welcomed by the players and brought a surge of energy to the team.
The team hosted Quinnipiac University for their Senior Day match, honoring the one senior, Katie Marvin ’18, for PC. Over 80 people gathered to watch Marvin’s last match on Providence College’s campus. Each fan was given a pink Friar’s Tennis T-Shirt to wear in the crowd. The cheers from the sea of pink right next to the courts added to the competitive atmosphere that afternoon.
Although Quinnipiac started strong, sweeping all three doubles matches, the Friars made sure to give their fans something to cheer about. Marvin won her singles match 6-4,6-2 and teammate Aidan Epstein ’20 won her match 6-2, 7-5. With both of these personal victories, Epstein was quick to name this game her favorite match of the season.
Epstein stated how Marvin’s energy and bright personality will be missed next year, “She always knows how to make a serious situation fun.” Epstein expressed how proud she was of Marvin to stick with tennis for all four years of college, unlike a few players that started out with her.
“Katie and I play next to each other and are there to cheer each other on throughout our matches.” This bond does not just exist on the court; Epstein explains how Marvin plays an important role in her pre-game ritual as well. “Me and Katie go get LaSalle before every home game and then join our team in the training room to mentally and physically prepare ourselves for the match.”
Marvin, Epstein, and the rest of the Friars have had to fight through a tough schedule this spring. PC beat Sacred Heart University 5-2 earlier in the season, but fell to tough opponents such as Harvard University, Marist College, Brown University, Villanova University, and St. John’s University. The competition, however, has only helped prepare the team for their upcoming Big East Tournament in Cayce, South Carolina that starts on April 25.
Epstein and the rest of the Friars are patiently waiting for the draw to come out later this week and to find out who they will play.
“I am excited to go and to see all the Big East teams in one place” Epstein states.
The tournament is set up differently this year. There is no cancellation draw and, therefore, is single elimination.
When asked what her team is doing to prepare for this tournament, Epstein explains that three players have recently been fighting the flu however, they are working hard and playing as much tennis as they can.