Having played doubles for all three years of his collegiate career, senior co-captain Rifat Perahya is right at home sharing the court, and for the men's tennis doubles teams, that comfort level could make all the difference.
Perahya returns this year to team up with junior Jon Rubenstein to form the team's top doubles tandem. The two will lead what coach Jim Watson says will be an improved doubles group this year.
"I think we can be stronger in doubles than we have been in previous years," Watson said. "In previous years, I've had guys who were really singles players who had to play doubles, but didn't feel comfortable. Now I think I've got some players who are really doubles players that feel comfortable attacking, because you have to feel comfortable attacking in doubles."
Although Rubenstein and Parahya have never played together for a full season, they both have strong experience playing doubles, including Rubenstein's three-year stint with doubles at Tufts.
But while the two may be comfortable in their doubles game, they will have to adjust to playing together.
"It will have been the first time they've played together," Watson said. "So they've been working on better communication. They both serve very hard. They return very well. They have good volley skills. It'll be an experienced team. They've both played doubles throughout their career, but they've never played together."
Moving down from the Perahya-Rubenstein duo at the top, the pairings for the doubles teams are not yet decided as Watson continues to toy with many options.
Possible teams could include freshman William Fleder and junior Paul Roberts, sophomores Geoff Loh and Sean McCooey, sophomores Matt Gallin and Corey Keller, and sophomore Craig Kunkes and freshman Kenny Leavitt.
While the teams are unsettled, Watson emphasizes the need for the players to get some experience with their partners to ensure good communication.
"Of all the teams I've mentioned, the one who looks to be most comfortable together is probably Loh and McCooey," Watson said. "They played very well together in the fall. They really felt comfortable communicating with each other."
That communication is the key to a successful doubles team.
"If there's any tension between the two players, it creates some problems," Watson said.
If the teams can feel secure together by the time their opener against Bates on Mar. 17 rolls around, the players feel there could be the makings of a good doubles group, adding to a previously weak element of the team's lineup.
"In the past, our doubles [lineup] has never been our strong point," senior co-captain Adam Yates said. "We've won some and we've lost some. This year, we seem to have a really strong lineup and that should be a strength."
One key for the team, other than becoming acquainted with each other, will be to avoid injuries. The team had to overcome numerous injuries to compile its 7-6 record last year.
"The biggest challenge is keeping everyone healthy," said Yates, who suffered an injury riddled season last year. "It's a grueling season with so many games in so few days. If we can keep everybody healthy, I think we can have a really good season."
