University of Minnesota Athletics
No Place Like Home
4/19/2018 12:00:00 AM | Tennis
Preview: Final Regular Season Weekend
By Tommy Sletten, Athletic Communications Student Intern
Baseline Tennis Center has been the home court for both the men's and women's tennis programs at the University of Minnesota since fall of 2002. This season, the women have dominated in their pristine facility, going 12-2 on the spring season, the most wins since Baseline's opening.
"For us to have that record this year speaks volumes to the way the girls have played this season," head coach Catrina Thompson said. "Anytime you get to play at home in front of your own crowd, sleep in your own bed, makes a big difference. This is our sanctuary out on the court, our home away from home."
This record has come in Thompson's rookie season at the helm of the Gopher Women's Tennis program.
Baseline gives the Gophers one of the best facilities in the Big Ten, with enough courts inside and out to play out all six singles matches in duals at one time. It's also the same facility that the team holds all their practices, giving them comfort in their own home.
"At home, it's this totally different vibe, you have this confidence about you", junior Annemarie Emme said. "We're always practicing on those courts, and everything feels like it's going in your favor, which I think helps us a lot."
Emme noted that she and her team felt that Baseline is one of the best facilities in the Big Ten, and they use it to their advantage.
The courts also play to the strengths of the athletes, as it plays slower than other courts in the Big Tena and around the nation. This allows them to play their own game, and slow down opposing heavy-hitters.
"We have all six courts in a row, we have a big scoreboard to see all the scores, as well as individual scoreboards" junior Bita Mancera said. "Some of the places we've played either don't have scoreboards, or no spots for umpires, or the set-up is just a little weird."
"We have slower courts," Emme added. "A lot of courts are faster and catch you off guard in certain points, where slow courts you can take your time. A lot of opponents aren't used to that and taking longer points.
Baseline has hosted Big Ten, NCAA, ITA, and USTA events in the past, and will be hosting the 2018 Big Ten Women's Tournament from April 26-29. With their 12-2 home record, including a 4-3 win against two-time reigning Big Ten Champion Ohio State, Minnesota feels confident going into their final tournament of the season.
"On a scale of one to ten... a solid ten," both Emme and Mancera said while beaming. "We just love playing at home," Mancera continued. "It's where we feel comfortable, where we play the best tennis, we know the courts better than anyone, and we always have fans at our backs pumping us up."
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With the 2018 Big Ten Tournament just a week away, make sure you are following the Gophers on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram so you do not miss any of the action at Baseline Tennis Center.
Players Mentioned
