AIMING HIGH: WOMEN’S TENNIS DUO HELPS PROGRAM LOOK TOWARD TITLE

ANNIKA WALL, TRUMPET MANAGING EDITOR, KVN SPORTS ANCHOR

Hannah Fox ’20 and Madi Overmann ’22 have been on the same tennis team for the past four years, two year at Waverly-Shell Rock Senior High School and now two at Wartburg College. This year, the duo has added a new role as doubles partners.

“Right from the start, since we’re so close, we clicked immediately,” Fox said. “I feel like communication-wise, it’s going super well because we are able to work with each other well. We can open up easily and push each other to be better in every sense of the game.”

Last year, Overmann was slotted at the No. 4 spot and took a year off from doubles. Fox consistently played at the No. 2 spot in singles and No. 1 spot in doubles with Ashley Rottinghaus ’19. Throughout the beginning of this season, Overmann and Fox were adjusting to being partners.

“Sometimes they’re just on the same wavelength and it all works out, but when they get excited it’s extra exciting,” Chris Gustas, the head women’s tennis coach, said.

Against Coe College on Tuesday, Sept. 24, Overmann and Fox posted a loud 8-5 victory over Eliza Sundermann and Emma Lassen. As a team, Wartburg defeated Coe for the second straight year. Since 1999, Wartburg has only beaten Coe twice.

The following Sunday, the Knights took on Luther in a rivalry matchup which Wartburg lost, 6-3. Last season the teams split, with Wartburg taking the regular season win.

Overmann originally started at the No. 2 spot this season, but bumped up to the top position, switching with Fox.

“The big thing for Madi has been playing better players and taking on challenges,” Gustas said. “We’ve kept moving her up in the lineup and she keeps having success wherever we put her. Every time we challenge her, her skills go up.”

The Knights are currently searching for back-to-back conference championships after winning the program’s first last year. Currently, Wartburg is 2-2 in American Rivers Conference Play.