By Danny Brady
As the Springfield College women’s tennis team closed in on a winning season for the first time since 2022, two players played a major part in that success: doubles partners Kapom Vettayawaikoon and Ramida “Pan” Manataweewat.
The duo – who both hail from Thailand – built a winning record despite starting every match this season at No. 1 doubles, facing the toughest matchup that their opponents had to offer. Although their playing styles differ, they have fit together seamlessly.
“Kapom is more of a baseline player, so she’s really good at keeping the consistency of the rally to set me up for a look at the net,” Manataweewat said.
“We do really well when it’s me at the baseline and Pan at the back,” Vettayawaikoon said. “She’s really good at finishing volleys and I can stay back and rally until she gets that opportunity to go for it.”
When talking about their partnership, Head Coach Tanner DeVanrennes credited their ability to adapt to their opponents playing style.
“They can take the match wherever they need to go,” Said DeVarennes. “Whatever the matchup dictates they are able to adjust and implement a successful gameplan.”
They also play well off of each other by using a variety of different formations based on the flow of the match and what their opponents are doing.
“Many formations are effective for us,” Manataweewat said. “We have an ‘I’ formation where we purposefully serve toward the center of the court and the net person stands in the middle of the court waiting for the returner. We change and switch our formations often.”
“The formations really help to put more pressure on our opponents because it makes them think about each serve and shot location a lot more,” Vettayawaikoon said.
While their formations and styles make for a successful partnership, their connection is much deeper than their on-court play. Their shared language makes it easier for them to communicate during matches.
“We can talk about whatever we want to talk about in Thai without worrying about others understanding us,” Vettayawaikoon said. “It’s great for the most part, but one con is that the coaches don’t really know what we’re saying at times.”
“It’s nice that we can communicate verbally about everything without having to use hand signals,” Manataweewat said.
While their partnership has been effective, both have on court found success outside of doubles as well. Vettayawaikoon has played at No. 1 for most of the season, and Manataweewat recently moved to No. 3. Both look likely to finish with a winning singles record as well this season.
The two didn’t know each other before Vettayawaikoon, now a sophomore, visited Springfield College during the 2022-23 season.
“I found out that [Manataweewat] was the other girl from our recruiting agency that went to Springfield,” Vettayawaikoon said. “I came to visit here and stayed with Pan. She was really nice and sweet when I first met her and we’re really close now.”
They each chose Springfield for different reasons, but two built a relationship and bonded right away.
“When looking at Springfield, I saw what they offered both athletically and academically and I thought it was a great fit for me,” said Manataweewat, now a senior.
Manataweewat helped convince Vettayawaikoon that it was a fit for her as well.
“It was fun getting to meet the whole team on my visit and we meshed really well,” Vettayawaikoon said. “It felt like home right away.”
While the two are close both on and off the court, their relationship with the rest of the players is just as tight.
“The team has become my second family,” Manataweewat said. “Everyone always supports and looks out for each other and I’m going to miss my team and all of my friends when I graduate.”
A trip over spring break helped the team bond.
“We got really close after Florida when we were stuck in a house together for a whole week,” Vettayawaikoon said. “We definitely got to know a lot of good and bad things about each other but our team is always very welcoming and there for each other.”
DeVarennes credited both Vettayawaikoon and Manataweewat for adding to the team’s strong culture.
“As talented players, regardless of age, talent is inherent leadership and they've handled that well,” Said DeVarennes. “They have both grown their balance of leading by example and using their voice.”
Both Vettayawaikoon and Manataweewat believe DeVarennes, and graduate assistant coach Emme Levinson have contributed to the team’s close relationship as well.
“They’re very different from all of the coaches I had growing up,” Vettayawaikoon said. “Here, it’s more than just, ‘You’re a player, I’m a coach.’ They want to know how you are doing outside of the tennis court and they care about you as a person.”
“They do a very good job at taking care of the team,” Manataweewat said. “When I need something, they are always there to help. For example, when I needed a ride for my internship they were willing to drive me there and drop me off.”
That support, and focus on the mental side of the game, has played a significant role in the team’s success this season.
“In tennis, you need both skills and mentality to succeed,” Manataweewat said. “Whoever can control their mentality first will likely win.”
“To succeed with any shot in tennis, you have to be loose,” Vettayawaikoon said. “If you're putting too much pressure on yourself and overthinking it, then you won’t do well so I try to always keep a positive mindset and focus on the next point rather than what is in the past.”
Springfield has one regular season match left, as it will face Emerson on the road this Saturday. The team is currently fifth in the NEWMAC standings and the top six make postseason play.
“As a whole team, we’ve done a great job at supporting each other,” Vettayawaikoon said. “We need to continue that in order to perform well and finish strong.”