The Bard College men's and women's tennis teams have been practicing, despite the fact that COVID-19 has cancelled the fall portion of the 2020-21 season.

Led by second year head coach Rogé Nesbitt, the Raptors are out there working toward the possibility of some matches in the spring.

"We have been told that all of our Liberty League matches could be held in the spring." Nesbitt said. "We hope that we will have that opportunity."

Despite the hurdles, sophomore Duncan MacDonald spoke about the thrill of just being back on campus and getting to practice.

"It feels so great to be back at school and back on the courts after all these months away." MacDonald said. "There's nothing like being outside on the courts with the team in beautiful fall weather, and it's just been great to see everyone back on campus."

With several student-athletes not returning to campus this fall, MacDonald says the transition has been different but does not believe it has had a negative impact on the team.

"We have a very small team to begin with, and this semester in particular, we are missing almost all of our teammates," he said. "It's been a strange adjustment to play with such small numbers and without a clear objective for our efforts, but what keeps us going is the fun we've been having together on the courts so far this year, and I think those of us who are back are just so excited to be playing together again."

Nesbitt believes there are positives to be taken from a season like this.

"I believe that a successful season is when everyone comes out and practices, works hard and becomes better than when they first started the season." she said. "Also just as important is having fun while you are working hard at your sport."

When asked about getting back out on the court competitively, MacDonald expressed his excitement, but also knows that the fall semester is a very important time for the team as well. 

"It's definitely hard not to fantasize about the future ahead of us, but I think our energy right now has been mostly focused on getting stronger as a team and developing our skills for when the time comes," he said. "It's been great to have an opportunity to step back and spend all of our time growing as tennis players and as a team."