Fairfield women’s tennis returns to match play this week as the spring season begins, bringing championship expectations back to the forefront.
The Stags open the second half of their year with three matches in four days, beginning with a road matchup against UConn on Jan. 28. Fairfield will then travel to Queens, N.Y., to face St. John’s on Jan. 30 before returning home to host Rhode Island on Jan. 31.
With the team’s last match coming before Thanksgiving, the return to competition feels different from a normal week. The extended break brings both excitement and adjustment as players work to regain their match rhythm.
From a coaching perspective, the early weeks of the spring are about laying the groundwork rather than chasing immediate results.
“The biggest thing we are focusing on is fitness level and improving every day,” head coach Jeff Bricker said. “We can’t win a championship in January, but we can lose one if we aren’t training appropriately.”
For senior Sarah Liu, the biggest challenge has been reconnecting with the mental side of competition after such a long layoff.
“Coming back from the break can definitely be challenging, especially since the last match I played was before Thanksgiving, almost two months ago,” Liu said. “The biggest adjustment has been getting back into the groove and reconnecting with the mindset I need before and during matches.”
That adjustment will be tested quickly, as Fairfield’s opening week offers little room to ease back into competition. With two road matches and a tight turnaround, managing energy and recovery becomes critical.
Despite the demanding schedule, the coaching staff believes roster depth will play a key role.
“We have a lot of depth and 11 players who are capable of competing for us,” Bricker said. “We need to make sure we’re fueling properly and cooling down properly to go back-to-back like this. The focus is on match play and improving. There’s no need to overplay anyone this early in the season.”
Senior Meg Harding said the team returned from winter break with a noticeable level of focus.
“Coming back from break, the team is ready,” Harding said. “Everyone seems very focused and excited for our first match. It’s never easy for that transition, but the girls have handled it extremely well.”
The early stretch also presents varying conditions common in January tennis. Whether competing indoors or outdoors, adaptability remains a priority.
“Our coaches emphasize focusing on what we can control,” Harding said. “When we can put in the work, we will, no matter what condition we’re in.”
For Liu, maintaining consistency has helped her manage those variables.
“My routine doesn’t change much,” she said. “I like to keep things consistent. I listen to music to get into a mindset that’s both pumped and calm, and I focus on getting a solid warm-up in with the team.”
As the season begins, the first week of matches will serve as an early benchmark for Fairfield. Beyond wins and losses, the stretch provides insight into lineup chemistry, doubles pairings and areas that need refinement.
“I’m hoping these matches highlight our toughness and grit,” Bricker said. “Obviously, we want to win any match we play, but just as important is finding areas that need improvement and tackling those areas over the next few weeks so that when MAAC play comes around, we are fully prepared.”
Fairfield enters the spring season with high expectations after being selected second in the MAAC Preseason Coaches’ Poll, earning two first-place votes. The Stags went 6–2 in conference play last season and reached the MAAC Championship match for the fourth consecutive year, falling in a narrow 4–3 decision to top-seeded Quinnipiac.
That April focus remains central for a program accustomed to postseason runs.
For Liu, the season carries added meaning. As a senior in her final semester, each match represents another opportunity to compete alongside teammates she has spent years with.
“I’m really looking forward to having a strong season and hopefully winning another MAAC championship with this team,” Liu said. “I’ve genuinely enjoyed being around the girls this year, and since it’s my last semester, I want to make the most of it.”
With postseason expectations firmly in place, the opening weeks of the spring will help define how Fairfield positions itself for another run at the MAAC title.
