Colgate University’s men and women’s tennis teams began their 2025 spring season with strong performances. The men’s team secured a 4-3 victory over Stonehill College, and the women’s team followed up with a 5-2 win.
Looking ahead, both teams face challenging schedules. Head Coach Bobby Pennington chose demanding matchups against key teams for the women’s team, including Boston University and Dartmouth College, which the Raiders lost 6-1, which he believes are significant tests. Meanwhile, the men’s team is preparing for a marquee match against the University of Miami over spring break, a matchup Pennington considers a major opportunity. Both teams will also play a full Patriot League schedule, facing conference opponents during the regular season. Even with the teams’ difficult schedules, Pennington has high expectations.
“We would love to have a winning record for both teams by the end of the season,” Pennington said. “Our success is measured by how we do in our conference, so I would love both teams to be in the top half of the league. Both teams getting a top-four seed and ideally making it past the quarterfinals would be great.”
Pennington was straightforward when asked about his main goal for the team this season.
“[I want] to maximize our team’s level and ability and really leave nothing on the table,” he said.
Senior women’s co-captain Eliza Podlas is fully on board with Pennington’s goals. Podlas, who completed a successful fall season with an undefeated campaign at the Bloomsburg Invite, believes this season presents a strong opportunity to achieve a winning record and reach the Patriot League semifinals. She is eager to make the most of her final season, and reflected on both personal and team ambitions.
“My personal goals for this season are to not only play to the best of my ability but to enjoy every last bit of being on the team and have fun as the curtains are beginning to close,” Podlas said. “We undeniably have an abundance of potential, and there is no doubt that this is the most talented team I’ve been a part of since being an athlete here at Colgate.”
As a captain, Podlas is focused on balancing individual player growth with a strong team dynamic. Senior men’s co-captain Josh Israel shares a similar mindset, aiming to make the most of his final season.
“My whole tennis career comes down to this season,” Israel said. “That includes winning on the court for me – singles and doubles – but, more importantly, how the team does. Hopefully, if I do well, the team can do well also.”
Israel leads the men’s team alongside senior co-captains Benito Vlassis, Mikey Weitz and Ben Graham. He emphasized the four captains’ close bond, and his belief that their shared experiences through both successes and adversity will give them an edge. The captain also noted an improvement in the overall team chemistry.
“It’s really easy to see team divides in college athletics, with upperclassmen knowing each other better than the underclassmen,” Israel said. “Now, I honestly feel like it’s one cohesive unit. We’re a small team of 12 guys, and I feel like we all know each other really well.”
Pennington is also confident that the strong team chemistry will lead to improvements from last season, especially in tight matches.
“Last season was brutal – we lost all the close matches and finished as the sixth seed,” Pennington remarked. “But this year, I think [… we] have great leadership, a nice mix of lower and upperclassmen and we are looking to do big things for the guys.”
Both the men and women’s seasons are packed with key rematches and opportunities for redemption. Junior Amelia Galin is particularly eager to face Patriot League rivals Lehigh University and Loyola University after last year’s losses.
“I believe we can definitely take them this year,” Galin said. “We graduated no one and have two first-years in the starting lineup. I’m also looking forward to playing another big rival, Bucknell University. We had such an electric win over them last year, and I’m excited to continue that streak.”
Galin is prepared to make an impact in both singles and doubles matches and feels confident after the team’s strong opening weekend where she earned her third career Patriot League Women’s Player of the Week award. She also highlighted the trust and chemistry she shares with her doubles partner, sophomore Sophia Montero.
“[Montero] and I have a lot of trust in each other and believe that on any given day, we can hang with and even take any team we face,” Galin commented.
With strong leadership, improved team chemistry, and a deep roster of talent, both the men and women’s teams are prepared to take on the challenges ahead. With expectations set high, they are eager to prove themselves in key matchups and push to the top of the Patriot League.
