WC women’s tennis chasing national success 

The Weatherford College women's tennis team has established itself as one of the nation's top programs since its re-launch in the 2021-22 season, in which it finished eighth in the nation. 

They followed with national tourney finishes of 15th in 2023 and 12th in 2024 before placing ninth last season. 

Now, with a young roster that features eight freshmen and three sophomores, they are looking to continue their success at the NJCAA Division I Women's Tennis Championship, May 2-6 at the Palmetto Tennis Center in Sumter, South Carolina.  

Returning from last season are sophomores Rosmary Pena, Juliana Jurado and Quinn Hogan, though Hogan isn't playing this season after foot surgery.  

"Quinn, Juli, and Rosmary have been amazing leaders for us. Quinn is always heard, all over the facility, cheering for her teammates. She is an incredible support during matches," head coach Steph Wooten said. "Juli and Rosmary bring so much competitive fire for us. Both are fierce, and they never go away. That has helped the youngsters playing next to them learn how to compete in college tennis." 

Those youngsters are freshmen Valeria Cabrera, Pilar Piriz, Kameron Shipp, Amanda Skeltina, Maria Camila Ternera, Sara Tublen and Kshirin Wakalkar. 

The Coyotes are ranked No. 10 nationally and have played one of the toughest schedules to be found. They have squared off against several other top-20 teams, defeating No. 17 Seward County (Kansas) 6-3 and narrowly falling 5-4 to No. 5 St. Petersburg (Florida). They also have a 5-4 victory against No. 11 Coastal Alabama and a 5-4 loss to No. 9 Pratt (Kansas). 

The schedule also included several NCAA teams, including a 7-0 victory against McMurry University. 

Wooten said such a schedule helps players mature, and given they have plenty of big names on their schedule, success requires growing quickly. While the record doesn't reflect wins in all of their previous tough matches, winning now is what matters most, Wooten stressed.  

"I use our schedule as a recruiting tool. Yes, the women had a heck of a schedule, but we have been preparing for May," she said. "By playing three legitimate Division 1 teams plus the rest of our schedule, I know we will not be intimidated by anything we see at nationals." 

Such determination will be a big plus for the team come the national tournament, Wooten noted. She can't wait to see it on display once again, she said. 

"I am excited to see the women compete at nationals. Our women's team has a drive about them where they work until the job is done," she said. "They have had a lot of close matches that just did not go our way.  

"They have stuck to the process and are doing the right things. I am confident we will be ready for nationals."