Still early on in the season, the Jackrabbits rebound from last weekend’s 7-0 loss to the University of Minnesota with a pair of 7-0 wins over Winona State and Minnesota State University, Mankato. 

In singles play against the Warriors, Florencia Magni won No. 1 singles 6-4, 6-2, while Ffion Davies won no. 2 7-6, 6-4. Iasmin Rosa took No. 3 with 6-0, 6-1 and Jenny Blackburne won 6-1, 6-0. Beatriz Souza and Tracy Haws-Lay both win 6-0, 6-0. 

In doubles, Magni/Rosa won 8-2, Souza/Haws-Lay won 8-5 and Davies-Blackburne won 8-0. 

“There wasn’t a stand-out player,” head coach Michael Engdahl said. “Every player stood out in their own little way.”

The Jacks showed immense strength and focus in each match, which made the difference for the women this weekend. 

The MSU matchup proved similar as Haws-Lay, Magni and Blackburne won 6-0, 6-0. Davies, Rosa and Souza also contributed winning matches. Davies won 6-3, 6-1 as teammates Rosa and Souza won 6-1, 6-0.

Jackrabbit doubles led in commanding fashion as well against the Mavericks. Magni/Filipovich won 8-5, Davies/Blackburne won 8-4 and Rosa/Haws-Lay won 8-3.

“Talent-wise, we know we have talent,” Engdahl said. “If we have that focus, if we have that commitment, we can play with anybody.”

All players, returning and new, have set goals and followed them up with the hours of work to meet these goals. 

Last season put the Jacks in SDSU record books as the first team to make it to the Summit League Finals. Having earned the most wins in school history, Engdahl was curious as to whether the returners would come back motivated or content. 

The Jackrabbits show no sign of contentment as they swept the courts in Saturday’s matchups. 

“They want to reach the Summit League finals again,” Engdahl said. “They want to go a step further to win the conference and they push each other in practice to get to that elite level.”

Each match is seen as an opportunity to improve. Last year, the young team went out there and simply played their matches. In contrast, this season is individual goal-oriented, each athlete competing with purpose and determination. 

“You can see the girls growing and maturing as far as learning from their match, whether they win or lose,” Engdahl said. 

The Jackrabbits will travel to Chicago, Ill. and Valoaraiso, Ind. vs. Purdue and Valparaiso this weekend, respectively.