The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

IT has not been the kind of season that Iesha Shepherd expected as she completes her senior year for the Jackson State women’s tennis team.

The JSU Tigers are off to a 0-2 start, having only played their two matches in January.

Since then, their last six matches have been either postponed or cancelled.

The Tigers are scheduled to play on Wednesday against Spring Hill College (Alabama). They have three more games before the Southeastern Athletic Conference (SWAC) takes place from March 12-14.

For Shepherd, a 21-year-old transfer from Chicago State University, she noted that most things have either changed or were altered in a way because of the restrictions for the coronavirus pandemic and now the adverse weather conditions they are experiencing.

“We’re taking COVID tests once or twice per week depending on the severity of the cases each week,” noted Shepherd, a former student of Queen’s College.

“Sanitising is required every hour during training along with face masks 24/7 unless you’re on the court practicing or competing.

“Areas are restricted and fast-food chains on campus have reduced their hours.

“In addition, NCAA has set mandatory requirements for us to take a COVID-19 rapid before each match to ensure safe competition and we no longer shake hands at the end but instead, we touch rackets.”

Overall, Shepherd said she’s adjusting well to the procedures due to the severity of the pandemic.

“We lost to Jacksonville State University in a close battle 4-3 but due to extreme weather conditions that have recently arisen, our upcoming matches this week were cancelled,” Shepherd said.

“I’m expected to win every match hence why our coach stacked the lineup. But my team and coaching staff are very close, and I’ve enjoyed the camaraderie whether it is on or off the court.”

Shepherd, who plays number four in singles and number three in doubles, said she’s just working on improving all aspects of her game each day when she’s out on the court.