The men's tennis team has had a full plate this fall season.
The Jumbos, who only played in three tournaments in last year's first-ever men's tennis fall season, have shifted their focus, participating in six tournaments this year in order to thoroughly prepare for the spring season. Coach Doug Eng intended to use this fall to strengthen his roster and fine-tune the team for the longer, tougher, more important spring season.
"The fall season is more of a tournament format," Eng said. "It provides relatively easy matches and is good for individual play and acts as a springboard for the spring season. We try to win on effort. We try to work harder than anyone else."
Eng's philosophy of hard work was evident in his decision to enter his team into the Dartmouth Invitational on Sept. 15-17 against more challenging Div. I opponents. Despite falling short on the scoreboard, the Jumbos were able to identify weaknesses in their game early in the season and work to remedy them.
"[The fall season] puts an emphasis on doubles points," Eng said. "And we are really pushing our doubles and volleying skills."
The Jumbos have stumbled in their tournaments this fall, and currently hold a 3-14 singles record in tournament play and a 0-11 record in tournament doubles. However, despite a lackluster tournament performance, the Jumbos have won both of their non-tournament matches thus far with a 6-3 win over Salve Regina and a 7-2 win over Babson.
Today, the Jumbos will participate in the Wallach Invitational at Bates, their final tournament of the fall season. The Jumbos have a precedent of success in the tournament, having sent several players to the finals in the 2005 season.
"Traditionally we do very well at the Wallach Invitational," Eng said. "We think that we can do very well this year. Not like the Dartmouth tourney, which was Div. I."
"It's always a really good tournament," said senior tri-captain Sean McCooey, who is currently sidelined due to a hand injury. "I'm really bummed that I can't play this [fall] season. But based on how the team has done so far, I think they'll do great."
As the final tournament of the season draws closer, the team has discovered a new asset in the spectacular performances from their freshman. The fall's play has allowed freshman members of the team to get a good feel for collegiate level tennis, boding well for the competitive spring season.
"The freshman group is very solid," Eng said. "They greatly add to the depth of the team. Their mental game has certainly increased."
This year's freshmen include Jon Trott, who was unstoppable in the matches against Salve Regina and Babson, winning all of his singles and doubles matches (6-0, 6-1, 6-0, 6-3 in singles and 8-5, 8-4 in doubles) and Andrew Rosen, victorious in both his matches so far. Untested Daniel Landers and Bryan Wilner, both of whom have not yet played, round out the freshmen lineup.
"It's looking really promising for the spring," McCooey said. "We've got some really talented players."
Eng noted that several seasoned players have made great progress this fall. The coach described sophomore Vinh Tran as a very solid player at the baseline but as one who still needs to get stronger at the net. Senior Corey Keller has also grown as a player throughout the duration of the fall season.
"[Keller has] had a very streaky up and down career, but I feel that his game has taken a few big steps forward in the past couple of weeks," Eng said.
Eng feels, however, that the team could still use some basic improvements.
"We want a more athletic team with more agility," he said. "Our players need to get more natural at the net."
