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Freshman Lindsey Steelman (Darlington, Md.) played first singles and first doubles in the match against Gordon this past Saturday. Photo provided by Rob Rossi.

ENC’s women’s tennis team is, despite a promising first two weeks, beginning to fall into a rut.

At three weeks into the season, the team holds a 1-4 conference record and a 2-7 record overall.

The Lions earned their first conference win in four years against Curry on Sept. 6, then began to struggle, losing the next four conference games against Western New England, Salve Regina, Nichols, and Gordon, The Lions also lost non-conference games against Lesley earlier in the month and UMass-Boston on Sept. 18.

The team is very young this year, with half of its roster made up of freshmen.  Three of those freshmen – Lindsey Steelman (Darlington, Md.), Jordan Cressman (Bowmanstown, Pa.), and Alecia Tubbs (Rochester, N.Y.) – play in both singles and doubles matches.

Coach Cris Popa stated that this year’s freshmen have a lot of talent and potential, which bodes well for the next several years.

Junior Tressa Burrello (Herkimer, N.Y.) says there is a stronger sense of team unity this year.

“We’re a very connected team,” Burrello said.

The Lions have a brutal schedule this season, facing the top five teams in the conference. Popa says the team needs support from the fans, as always.

Popa said the home crowd has been good this year.

“We had a good turnout the first conference match, and it was pretty nice,” Popa commented.

ENC women’s tennis hopes to turn their losses around and plays their next match at home against Wentworth on Sept. 23.