227 TENNIS RETURN TO THE COURT Ashley Nilsson returns to campus from Canada to play tennis for the second half of the fall 2020 semester. After being unable to return to Harding for the first half of the fall 2020 semester, sophomore Ashley Nilsson returned to campus to finish the second half of the semester. Nilsson was from Canada and played for the Lady Bisons tennis team. “I sent in my passport to get updated, but the passport office was closed, so I didn’t get it until halfway through the semester,” Nilsson said. “I booked my flight the night it came in the mail and flew in the week after.” Due to COVID-19, the tennis team was unable to compete in fall 2020. Although Nilsson was not missing any competitions, she did miss half a semester of practice. “Although we were not allowed to compete this fall, she brought a definite spark to practice when she was able to return to school,” head tennis coach David Redding said. “She is a valuable member of the team, and anytime you are missing an important piece of the puzzle, it feels incomplete.” While the team felt more complete with Nilsson back, she had to adjust to having practice and classes back on campus. “The team is so excited to have her back,” senior Allison Jenkins said. “She is such an important part of the team.” Although Nilsson missed out on time with the team, she returned just in time to get some practice time with them before a semester of competition. “It was hard to be away from my teammates ‘cause they are family to me,” Nilsson said. “COVID has brought us closer. Since we have smaller cohorts, I’ve relied on my team to stay connected. I love them with my whole heart.” story by Ellie Shelton Sitting on one of the courts at the David Elliot Tennis Complex, sophomore Ashley Nilsson smiles for a photo on Nov. 8, 2020. Nilsson missed half of the fall 2020 season due to passport and COVID-19 complications. | photo by Madison Meyer
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