Fighting Scots tennis to debut new courts, new coach when they host Central on Saturday

by Barry McNamara

MONMOUTH, Ill. (08/25/2022) — New courts, new coach, same players (with an asterisk).

The Monmouth College women's tennis team is hoping that formula will help it have a successful, competitive season this fall.

The Fighting Scots will open their season at noon Saturday, Aug. 27, hosting Central College in the first collegiate match on the newly resurfaced courts at the College's tennis stadium.

The courts, which were resurfaced in June after 20 years of use, are now blue, with the out-of-bounds areas colored green. In the coming days, new windscreens will be added after a supply chain snafu is resolved.

A year ago, Monmouth also opened its season against Central, and all the Scots return from the Nos. 1-6 singles lineup that day. The asterisk is that the team has one addition, and she's a big one, as freshman Natalie Labicki of Antioch, Illinois, has joined the squad and earned the No. 1 singles position.

"She'll be a major contributor," said new head coach Brian Dahlstrom.

Having Labicki atop the lineup will allow Dahlstrom to move each of his returning players down a slot, creating more advantageous matchups than a season ago.

"We're in a very favorable position where we have everybody returning," Dahlstrom told his players during a brief post-practice huddle on Aug. 23. "We're going to build our whole program this year on being competitive."

After the huddle, he added, "It's always great to have a lot of returning players. There's a natural team chemistry and culture already there."

The place to be

Also looking to build fan support for the Scots, Dahlstrom is encouraging his team to spread the word about the team's home opener and its next six matches - all of which will be played at home each weekend in September, with the exception of Sept. 9-11.

"I didn't see the previous surface," said Dahlstrom, who was on campus interviewing for his new position right around the time the new courts were ready for play. "But from the people who had seen them, I'm hearing a lot of enthusiasm about the new playing surface. We're looking forward to playing at home on the new courts."

That includes his many returning players, including last year's Nos. 1 and 2 singles players, Emily Laughlin of Milan, Illinois, and Izzie Hammond of Germantown Hills, Illinois.

"They look really great. They look nice," said Hammond. "They're clean, with barely any scuffs, and they play really good. And it's been nice for practice. In the past, we haven't practiced much on the back three courts, but now we can."

"I was back on campus the Friday before practices started, visiting some coaches, and I got to meet the new coach," said Laughlin. "So I saw the new courts then, and it's a major upgrade. They're going to be a great asset to offer future athletes. It's nice to have the school value our program."

Dahlstrom said the new courts add to what he already believes is a great environment for fans at the tennis stadium.

"The whole facility is a great venue to watch matches," he said. "I want the players to tell their friends and have them come out and cheer on the Scots."

The facility features tiered stone and grass seating along the west side. Spectators can simply walk up and find a place to sit, or they can bring their own lawn chairs from which to enjoy the action.

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