“(We put) them in certain spots where maybe they’re not the most comfortable, but sometimes good things happen because they’re in an uncomfortable position," head coach Simone Jardim said. "If they can rise from those positions, then you know you can count on them in the spring."

The program added two freshmen this year with Davina Nguyen and Emily Metcalf. Notable returning performers include sophomore Lexi Baylis, who broke the school record for most singles victories in a season (30) during her freshman year, as well as senior Emily Meyers and junior Erin Faulkner, who each had 21 wins last season. The team finished with 16 wins during the 2014-15 season, as well as a No. 68 ranking, and they hope to build on that in the upcoming season.

The Spartans have competed in two meets so far. Their first competition was the Wildcat Invite at Northwestern University Sept. 25-27. Highlights for the team at Northwestern included junior Athena Trouillot finishing in third place in the White Main Draw, and two doubles pairings, Baylis and Faulkner as well as Metcalf and sophomore Allie Baer, advancing to the semifinals.

The team had a fairly quick turnaround, as they competed at the Purdue Invite Oct. 2-4 with nine other competitors, including four Big Ten opponents. Nguyen had a key performance at the invite, as she finished 3-0 in singles and 3-2 with doubles partner Trouillot.

Faulkner felt that these first two meets were a successful start to the new season.

“I think (the Northwestern and Purdue meets) went really well," Faulkner said. "They were tough competition, especially for the freshmen coming in, but it’s good experience for them overall just to get ready for the season."

Jardim said the team’s performance in both doubles and singles in these two season opening tournaments has been encouraging.

“Doubles has been a highlight for us," Jardim said. "We had a rough year in doubles last year, we were very successful, so it was very refreshing to get a lot of doubles wins in the last two tournaments. Singles-wise, we’ve been getting better each tournament, and so it’s been a good start of the fall semester for us. ... Overall, all the teams we put together have done really well."

The ITA Midwest Regional Championships are a highlight of the fall for the team, allowing them to see the best competition in the area before the season begins. This annual indoor event will feature 25 teams from the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin competing to advance to the Nationals.

“It’s important because it’s the best of the Midwest," Baylis said. "Everyone comes here, it’s all really good matches. There’s no easy opponent, so that’s really good for mental and physical preparation for the spring."

While indoor events help the team prepare for the outdoor Big Ten season in the spring, often even those spring meets are played in an indoor setting.

“We play a lot of matches indoors, actually," Jardim said. "I can’t tell you exact numbers. But with how it works in Michigan, and pretty much anywhere in the Midwest, even with the Big Ten (season), sometimes you don’t know how many matches we’re gonna play outside. We try to play outside as much as possible, but sometimes the weather won’t allow it."

The Big Ten season will begin in March, after two months of indoor dual meets with other universities. If the team performs well in the spring, they can advance to the NCAA Championship tournament, which takes place in May.

Whatever the results are at the end of the season, for the women’s tennis team the journey is just as important as the destination.

“I love going out there and competing with these other 10 girls," Baylis said. "There’s no better feeling than representing Michigan State."