Senior Arisa Takanashi practices her tennis skills at the David Elliott Tennis Complex Nov. 4, 2019. Takanashi and Ry lie Evans were top players in the 2018-19 season. I photo by Jillian Jarvis Seniors Rylie Evans and Arisa Takanashi, All-American players, took eighth place in the nation. The Harding women's tennis team had a successful season in spring 2019. Seniors Rylie Evans and Arisa Takanashi placed 8th in the nation and were the first female Harding tennis players to achieve an All-American title. Evans transferred from Coastal Carolina University, a Division I school, in 2019 and was a top player on the tennis team. Takanashi was the No. 1 player on the team before Evans transferred. Head Tennis Coach David Redding said he chose to put them together in doubles because they were the two best singles players. "They complemented each other very well," Redding said. "Arisa is quiet and steady, and Rylie is a little more aggressive and fiery on the court." Evans said her relationship with Takanashi helped their cooperation. Because they were both upperclassmen, Evans said she felt a lot of pressure to win. Takanashi said playing doubles added more pressure because doubles players had to learn to work with a teammate on the court. Evans said they combatted the pressure by encouraging each other during games and practices. "We made sure we played the same in practice as we wanted to in matches," Evans said. Redding said the key to having a successful team was having good players. Not only were Evans and Takanashi good players, but they had teammates who challenged them in practice to help them grow as players. "I recognized that they had potential and tried to put pressure on them and bring out the best in them," Redding said. Takanashi said her final season would not have been as successful without Redding and her teammates. Takanashi said Redding told her and Evans they had the talent and potential to win games and conferences, which motivated her to put her best effort into every match. "It motivated me to be a better player and inspired everyone on the team," Takanashi said. Redding said he was most proud of the overall character of the tennis team. They had the highest grade point average of any athletic team on campus. Redding said he hoped to continue recruiting well-rounded women like those on the tennis team during the 2019-20 season. story by Kylie Jones athletics 221
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