After a competitive and resilient spring season that saw Colgate Women’s Tennis finish with a strong Patriot League campaign, the Raiders are back on the court this fall and already showing signs of growth. Led by a mix of veteran leadership and rising underclassmen, the team made its foray into the invite season with the Binghamton Invitational on Sept. 12-14.
The Raiders showcased depth and intensity at Binghamton, playing admirably against strong regional opponents. The tournament gave Colgate the chance to ease back into its pairings and evaluate early-season form, setting the tone for the fall stretch.
Senior Sasha Herman appreciated the chance to test new doubles pairs and set an enthusiastic tone for the fall.
“I think doubles was a highlight for the Binghamton Invitational,” Herman said. “We had some new pairings with the freshmen getting mixed in, and we saw some competitive sets with a lot of good energy.”
Junior Gigi Bohan shared in Herman’s enthusiasm about the debut weekend. She explained that these tournaments are crucial for technique and team morale.
“The Binghamton invite was a great weekend. The fall is an awesome experience to get nerves out and work on things you want to improve for the spring season,” Bohan said. “I always enjoy the first invite of the fall because it is full of energy and getting to cheer each other on side by side.”
The team’s Spring 2025 season (12-11 overall) was a mixed bag of hard-fought wins and tough losses, which ended in a loss to Boston University in the Patriot League quarterfinals. Reflecting on the spring, Bohan kept it positive, highlighting her team’s unmatched chemistry.
“I think our best asset was our camaraderie as a team. The group of girls we have is truly so special, and I think in tight matches, having the support of 11 girls behind you can give you the upper hand,” Bohan said. “We spend a lot of time together on and off the court, and it really shows in the way we support one another.”
Herman maintained her teammate’s positive tone.
“Reflecting on the spring season, I felt we had some more success with getting the doubles point than in the past,” Herman said.
Herman shared that consistency and mental toughness will be the focus this fall. According to Herman, the team is aiming to sharpen its competitive edge and is focusing on doubles chemistry and confidence in training sessions.
“If we can continue to solidify our doubles this fall, it would be great for our confidence in the spring with getting the point in dual matches,” she explained.
With the Binghamton Invitational in the books, all eyes now turn to the Colgate Invitational, set to take place on the J.W. Abrahamson Tennis Courts over the Sept. 26-28 weekend. It’s a home event where the team aims to assert its presence and continue fine-tuning for the spring dual-match season. Bohan emphasized the importance of preserving high spirits throughout the weekend.
“Looking ahead to the Colgate invite, we are focusing on having 11 healthy girls who are ready to compete,” Bohan said. “We do not get to play many matches at home outside, so we are definitely not taking this for granted. We are also praying for more nice weather!”
Herman emphasized the home advantage.
“Playing at home is the best because it can be pretty rare for us as the spring comes around, so we can’t wait to have some extra support around us,” Herman said. “The competition is similar to the Binghamton Invitational, so we are ready to take what we learned from last weekend into the matches at home!”
Following that, the Raiders will compete in several more fall tournaments, including stops at the Army West Point Shootout and ITA Regionals — opportunities to test themselves against premier competition in the Northeast.
Junior Paige Rothwell praised her new first-year teammates, who are proving to be valuable additions on and off the court.
“We are super excited to welcome our new head coach and three freshmen onto the team,” Rothwell said. “We had an amazing season last year and look forward to what’s in store for this season.”
As the fall season progresses, the Raiders aim to build momentum and strengthen their lineup, with a clear focus on refining their tactics, maintaining their health and preparing for a successful spring season. With strong leadership and a hungry group of returners and newcomers, the Raiders are poised to make great strides this year.
