Diamondback Online - The University of Maryland's Independent Daily Student Newspaper

Numerous injuries, a very tough schedule and a young team equal troubled times for the Terrapin women's tennis team.

The Terps have struggled so far this season on the court, but other factors besides their play have also hampered the team.

The Terps have battled injuries throughout the course of the season and have yet to be at full strength in their matches.

Sophomore Eleanor Peters started out the season hurt, then recovered well enough to play in the last couple of matches, but she has since been sidelined again due to injury. Freshman Adela Matejkova has been battling a sore back throughout the season and has finally succumbed to the pain.

With a thin roster to begin with, the injuries have come at a bad time for the Terps. Making life worse, they're battling against their top ACC foes as well as plenty of ranked teams from their out-of-conference schedule.

"The schedule was made before any of these things happened," coach Martin Novak said. "It seems kind of foolish now because of the injuries and such, but at the same time you have to play the top teams to succeed and we want to get into the sphere of NCAA tournament teams."

Sophomore Maggie MacKeever agreed that the schedule is tough on the Terps, but added that the team isn't making any excuses.

"We keep fighting and going into our matches with our heads up and with confidence," MacKeever said.

If the injuries and tough schedule weren't enough to affect them, the inexperience and youth certainly were.

The Terps' roster is one of the youngest in the ACC, and that spells trouble for a team that plays in such a tough conference. With no seniors and only one junior, captain Michal Amir, the team often lacks the experience its opponents have.

Although the inexperience brings plenty of negatives, the dearth of senior players allows the younger Terps increased playing time at the elite college level.

"This team is learning something new every match," Novak said. "The freshmen are getting to feel what it's like to play, which helps us grow."

The injuries and schedule are making it difficult for the Terps this season, but at least they're growing up.

sports@dbk.umd.edu

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