Instead of dwelling on a pair of disappointing 5-4 defeats earlier this season, the Grand Valley State University women’s tennis team will use its losses as motivation to be the aggressor at this weekend’s GLIAC Tournament in Midland, Mich.

GVSU (11-2, 10-2 GLIAC) will enter the conference tournament on Friday as the No. 3 seed behind Northwood University and Wayne State University, each of whom account for the team’s only defeats of season.

It is no secret that the Lakers are ready for another opportunity to face the two teams that got the best of them earlier this season, but in order for that to happen, the Lakers must first defeat their first round opponent Lake Superior State University, a team GVSU swept 9-0 earlier this season.

Despite two blemishes in conference play, senior Tara Hayes said the Lakers are a different team now than they were at the beginning of the season because of stronger doubles play and increased movement and communication on the court.

Aggressiveness during doubles play has given the team reason to believe it is in a good position to make a run toward a tournament championship and possibly have rematch with the Timberwolves or Warriors.

“I know we lost to Wayne, but everyone had an off day, and based on our results lately I think we have a shot at winning the tournament,” Hayes said.

The Lakers know from first-hand experience that playing aggressive during doubles has the power to set the tone and momentum of a match. In both losses this season, the Lakers were unable to capture a lead after doubles play, and as a result, had to fight back from a 2-1 deficit against Wayne State and 0-3 deficit against Northwood.

GVSU head coach John Black said in order to be successful this weekend, GVSU will need to continue to focus on doubles and avoid playing from a deficit.

“We need to keep playing aggressive in the doubles, and by I aggressive I mean having the net players attack, taking control of the net and forcing other teams to hit shots past us,” he said.

For sophomore Niki Shipman, who said her game took a while to evolve and reach its peak this season, this weekend will be about using her improved doubles game, experience and familiarity with their opponents in order to be successful.

Shipman’s personal strategy when competing in the conference tournament is to focus on putting all her technique together in order to remain accurate and use what she calls her weapon shot, which can catch other competitors off guard.

“Part of the sport is knowing you’re one on one with an opponent so there are different parts of [an opponents’] game that you get know if you’ve played them before, and it absolutely helps to develop to a strategy,” Shipman said.

The GLIAC tournament will take place Friday through Sunday at the Midland Community Tennis Center in Midland, Mich. The Lakers will open against Lake Superior State at 6 p.m. Friday.

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