UNL Tennis On Campus Team Adapts To Challenges

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Tennis on Campus team had a unique start to the season this fall, as many things have changed in relation to the ongoing pandemic. In addition to those changes, there will be no traveling this year. In the past they’ve traveled to places like Wisconsin, Colorado, Iowa and Minnesota.

“We will not be traveling this semester,” said Ashley Tyler, senior and club president. “Instead, we will be having intra-club tournaments so that our members can still have some competition.  We are also wearing masks, we use lots of hand sanitizer, disinfect the balls after each practice, and have cones in the back of the court to help people physically distance themselves.”

The team practices about three times a week for two hours at a time. Tyler said the number of participants is lower this year, due to some people limiting their exposure to group events, and/or having to quarantine. They are taking all precautions to be as safe as possible. 

“We want to create a safe space for people to have some social interaction, but take all measures possible to limit each person’s exposure,” Tyler said. “While we want our members to have a chance to improve their game as that is our goal each year, we also know that our club is some of our members’ only consistent social and physical activity. Those are both important things to continue to have throughout this pandemic.”

This is Tyler’s last year as captain as she is set to graduate in 2021. She is studying accounting and finance. She hopes to make the most of her final year in college, while creating memories with the club tennis team.

“I have loved all my time in club tennis and while this year is very different, I’m glad we are still able to practice as a team and grow a bond between our members!”

See more on UNL’s club tennis team.