Gaining more experience for the spring season is what the women’s tennis team is preparing for as it plays host to the Jayhawk Invitational Sept. 26-28.

“[The Fall] is about, not practice matches, but helping the freshmen get confident for the spring,” coach Amy Hall-Holt said.

The Jayhawk Invitational will play host to eight teams including Kansas, Air Force and in-state rival Kansas State this weekend. After the Hawks’ first tournament last weekend in New Mexico, the freshmen got a taste of the college tennis atmosphere. The older players also got the first-match-of-the-season jitters out of the way, while showing the younger girls how hard they must compete.

Photo Gallery

Kansas Tennis: Jayhawk Invitational

A photo gallery of the Jayhawk Invitational, a three day tennis tournament.

“I try to be a leader and show them how motivated I am,” Edina Horvath, Hungary, senior said. Since the team will have home court advantage playing at First Serve Tennis Center in Lawrence, the familiarity and comfort of home should be enough for some Jayhawk victories. Last weekend, few Jayhawk fans made the trek to New Mexico; however, this weekend the benches should be lined with crimson-and-blue-attired fans.

“It’s going to be an advantage for us since we practice every day on these courts,” Horvath said. “We have many friends coming and that will be really beneficial.”

So far, the team has accumulated a 9-16 singles record and a 3-6 doubles record. The veterans have given the freshmen tough practices to encourage better performances once on the court with an opponent.

This weekend will be a true test for the Jayhawks, who will start playing at 9 a.m. each morning. Although the fall season is good practice for what’s to come during the spring season, the team still wants to work hard and defeat the competition.

— — Edited by Ramsey Cox