Cosumnes River College’s women’s tennis team tied for third place in the Big 8 last season, just missing the playoffs. This season, head coach Suzanne Stebbins has high hopes for the team.

The team has a strong top five, “the strongest I’ve ever had,” Stebbins said. The entire roster is new, except for her returning number one position player. Since they are all new, the ladder has not yet been finalized.

All the girls had been practicing on the courts, taking turns to rotate out for their interviews before jumping back in.

The only returning player, 19-year-old sophomore Brianna Schmitgen, has high hopes for the season. Individually last year she went to state for singles and doubles.

“Me and my partner were the first ever to go to doubles for CRC,” Schmitgen said.

Schmitgen said for the team to “stay positive and don’t give up.”

Schmitgen said that 19-year-old freshman Taylor Osborne is probably going to be the team’s number two.

It’s Osborne’s first year on the team, but she said that she played all through high school.

To get ready for the season, she did the same thing all the other girls did.

“I just practiced and played the game I love,” Osborne said.

Osborne showed determination to do well in the season and wants the team to “never give up.”

Freshman Christina Phillips, 18, said she will most likely be the team’s number three.

Phillips said she spent the off-season practicing a lot and working out. While she is new to the team, Phillips said she’s played with Stebbins for 10 years.

“I’m just excited,” Phillips said. “Suzanne has been encouraging me to go out and hit.”