Alabama
Kentucky
Alabama Women’s Tennis Hits the Road for the First Time in 2021 this Weekend
2/25/2021 11:53:00 AM | Women's Tennis
The Crimson Tide opens the weekend in Lexington, Ky., against Kentucky, before traveling to Nashville, Tenn., to face No. 10 Vanderbilt
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Alabama women's tennis team had just returned from a two-match Southeastern Conference road swing when the COVID-19 pandemic shut down college sports almost a year ago this week. Since that time, the Crimson Tide women have traveled as a team a grand total of one time, just over the state line to Mississippi State for a fall tournament.
For grad student Alba Cortina Pou, that time on the road brought the team together even closer.
"The best part of traveling is that we get to spend even more time together as a team, and we always have so much fun during our bus rides," Cortina Pou said.
This weekend, Alabama returns to the road for the second time this season, duplicating the journey the team took last spring, starting at Kentucky on Friday before facing Vanderbilt on Sunday.
Travel is different this season. There will be masks, social distancing and less exploring on road trips, but they will still be together, competing on someone else's turf and representing the script A of Alabama.
"I am really looking forward to the competition that is ahead of us," Sasha Gorchanyuk said. "I am just so excited to finally get to travel with my team and spend time together both on and off the court whilst working towards our goals."
For both Cortina Pou and Gorchanyuk, the chance to get back on the road conjures memories of road trips past.
"I really enjoy visiting other places," Cortina Pou said. "It was very cool when we went to Seattle a couple years ago, and we got the chance to explore and walk around the city."
This weekend will bring the Tide back to the site of one of Gorchanyuk's favorite travel memories.
"My favorite travel memory would have to be last year when we went to Kentucky," she said. "Our match motivator was Merritt Emery, a former Alabama player. We got to do an incredibly fun team bonding activity that really helped us as a team, and it was so nice to have a former player speak to us on our trip."
For the Crimson Tide, this weekend comes down to another chance to play together and get better as the SEC season continues.
"We are so excited as a team," Cortina Pou said. "It's a great opportunity to keep getting better and get where we want to be. We've been working very hard and we are looking forward to competing and fighting together as a team this weekend."
Alabama takes on Kentucky Friday at 3 p.m. CT, while facing No. 10 Vanderbilt Sunday at 1 p.m. CT.
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