The Sacramento State women’s tennis team seeks to win the Big Sky conference in 2019, but has already lost its first two matches of the year.

Last year, the Hornets finished 11-12 overall and 9-2 in the Big Sky conference. Their first two matches a season ago were losses, and history repeated itself, as they lost their first two matches this season against San Diego State and University of San Francisco, respectively.

Sophomore Jenna Dorian, who went 11-10 overall and 9-2 in the Big Sky in the No. 4, 5 and 6 singles last season, said the Hornets are just getting started.

“I think we’re just warming up. It’s just the beginning, definitely,” Dorian said. “We’re just getting a couple matches under our belts, and we’re definitely going to go into St. Mary’s really strong, and just do the best we can, but it doesn’t really faze us, we’re going to keep doing what we do.”

Senior and co-captain Carolina Chernyetsky, who went 3-8 overall and 2-2 in Big Sky singles last season, believes the team can grow from those two losses.

“I think those were two good matches to see where we’re at, and I think everyone played the best that they could that specific day,” said Chernyetsky. “I think it’s just recognizing what each person’s weaknesses or tendencies were in their matches and being able to bring that up in practice and work on that.”

Head coach Cami Hubbs said the team has grown a lot, giving them the ability to potentially win conference.

“Everyone’s made some pretty good strides in the past year, and I give the credit to them for that,” said Hubbs. “They show up to practice every single day ready to go which is nice, but they also put in the work when we’re not there.”

Hubbs also noted Chernyetsky as someone who has grown immensely.

“(Chernyetsky) went from playing anywhere from five through eight in our singles lineup last year and she’s playing No. 1 right now, so I can tell you that’s not just on paper, she’s put in so much work,” Hubbs said. “She’s definitely playing at the highest level, and we knew that she had it in her, but she put in all the work going there.”

Last season, the Hornets traveled a lot and Hubbs believed it was one of their challenges. This season, she’s glad they have more home matches.

“I am hoping that having a few more home matches and being here for a majority of our conference matches is going to make it that much more to our advantage,” Hubbs said.

Going into conference, Hubbs, Dorian and Chernyetsky all said they want to enjoy the process of working hard but having fun while doing so.

“I know that I do well when I don’t have high expectations of myself because then that lowers my stress level, so I just try to have a clean slate in every single day, every single match, every practice,” Chernyetsky said. “I start fresh and try to just do my best and that kind of helps me. When I relax and just have fun and enjoy and work hard, that’s when I do my best.”

Dorian also has her eyes on a better personal record this season.

“Being a sophomore, I did pretty well in conference last year, so I keep the same expectations of myself going into season, getting the same wins, maybe even more,” said Dorian. “I’m looking at those matches from last season and reflecting on them, and seeing how I can better those matches, so I can potentially go 11-0.”

When asked about their overall team goals, Hubbs said their main goal is to win conference.

“I would love to finish 9-1 in the Big Sky, but I think we can win out, I really do,” Hubbs said. “We have the ability, but a lot of teams do this year. Everyone’s grown and it’s really going to be who steps out and shows they want it more.”

In regards to their home opener against Southern Utah University, Hubbs is excited and ready.

“Their team is solid.I think we’re pretty even to be honest,” Hubbs said. “Last time we played them though, we played them in altitude, which does affect tennis. It’s going to be nice to have a home opener against a conference team, and I’m hoping that it will be to our advantage a little bit that it’s not as windy here as it was when we played them last year at their home.”

The Hornets opener against Southern Utah will be Friday at 1 p.m. at the Sacramento State Courts.

Additional reporting by Camille Escovedo