DALLAS (SMU) - When Taylor Johnson looks back to the 2022-23 SMU women's tennis season, she recalls what the team accomplished.
An unblemished regular season record against American Athletic Conference foes to earn the No. 2 seed in the league tournament. A five-match win streak that spanned the end of the regular season and three matches at the AAC Tournament, resulting in the program's first AAC title and first conference tournament championship since 2009. A berth in the NCAA Tournament, the program's 12th all-time and first since 2011.
The accolades are certainly noteworthy. But that was then. And now, the focus has shifted to what's next.
"We made history last year and accomplished so much – but now that shows us that's the floor and there's only more we can reach from here," Johnson said.
With five of the six everyday starters returning bringing back 129 of the team's 169 singles victories from last season, the Mustangs come into 2023-24 with an opportunity to advance the program even further.
Head coach Jeff Nevolo saw that focus from his team in the offseason as players made a commitment to finding ways to improve and prepare for what's ahead. Along with voluntary summer workouts, several individuals took part in tournaments that featured pro-level competition, including Johnson who represented SMU and America at the 2023 FISU World University Games in China.
"It's early in the season, so are we in late season form yet? No. But are we really far ahead from a day-to-day cultural and work ethic perspective? I'd say we're definitely ahead this time this year than we were last year," Nevolo said.
More than that, SMU's collective experience from last year has created a hardened mental approach that should help the team stay consistent over the course of the season.
Last spring, if the Mustangs dropped a tough match, the loss sometimes had a tendency to stick around, carrying over into practice and sometimes even into the next contest.
"I think definitely with those experiences you learn how to handle things better and handle the bigger moments of pressure better," sophomore Drew Morris said. "I do think we have a better understanding of how to go from those moments and handle them in different ways so we can get the outcome we want."
Between an experienced roster, a pair of newcomers who have blended in quickly and an established culture, SMU is focusing on the potential of what's ahead. The Mustangs have already shown what can be done – now, they want to do it again and more.
"Our biggest goal is to just stay true to our values and play how we want to play," senior Lana Mavor said. "Our goal is obviously to get in the NCAAs and win a couple rounds and keep doing better, keep pushing the program forward and keep creating a legacy for those coming after us."
SMU opens their fall portion of the 2023-24 season on Friday, Sept. 22 by competing in the Milwaukee Classic, first serve is to be announced.
Fall 2023 Schedule
