The Bison women’s tennis team has a winning record right now of 11-6. This is thanks to the incredible effort and skill of the whole team; however, this article will discuss the impressive rookie campaign of Whitney King ’25, and how her contribution on the team has been crucial to its success. 

As a rookie, King has already been named both Patriot League Player of the Week for the week of Feb. 5, and Bison Athlete of the Week for the week of Sept. 13. She also became the first women’s tennis player to be honored as Bison Athlete of the Week in the fall – tennis is primarily a spring sport. 

This past weekend, the first-year had another successful run. Against Lehigh, she defeated her doubles opponent 6-0. Against Colgate she took down her singles opponent 6-4 and her doubles opponent 6-2. Thanks to these contributions, the Orange and Blue are officially 2-1 in league play. 

“I recently have been struggling with an ongoing back injury,” King explained, “so being back on the court this past weekend competing next to my team was a dream come true.” 

At the No. 2 singles spot, the Sarasota native has done exceptionally well, with a whopping 17-3 record. Her doubles play is also top-tier. King and her doubles partner, senior Daniela Bellini ’22, hold a 19-3 record. 

King has won her matches 86 percent of the time, but is still humble enough to shout out teammate Bellini. “My doubles partner, Danielle Bellini, deserves an extra shoutout as our captain and our role model,” she said. “She has taught me everything about being and playing as a teammate.” 

King and the Bison take on Patriot League opponents Lafayette and Loyola this weekend, where the rookie is excited to continue her work as a team-player. “Coming into college tennis, I had no idea what it was like to be on a team, but the expectations exceeded themselves,” she added. “I would not be having the season I am having without them. The energy we all bring to every single match is unbeatable. The support we all give each other on and off the court is incredible.”

“I can confidently say I have grown as a player and person here, and I am so beyond proud of that!”