By Christine Houghton
Sports Editor
Maintaining national ranking just doesn’t seem to be enough for the men’s and women’s tennis teams as they go into the season with high hopes for the future.
After losing eight seniors, the men’s team looks to gain experience during the fall season’s tournaments in preparation for the spring’s dual matches. The four incoming freshmen are all candidates for the starting lineup to lend their efforts to head coach Scott Dicheck’s goal of maintaining national rankings.
Sophomores Matthew Michibata and Justin Wain are two promising returning players, as they hope to reclaim their starting positions for their second season. Senior Thomas Wright aims to remain injury-free and maintain his exceptional performance from last season.
Now graduated Matt Puig (’19) and Tim Gavornik (’19) will leave the biggest shoes to fill due to their reliability as consistently good players. Gavornik leaves behind his 100-wins poster, proudly displayed outside the tennis courts, and Puig returns this fall as an assistant coach.
The women’s team lost only two seniors, but the incoming freshman class offers five players to fill their shoes. Now graduated Alyssa Baldi (’19) finished fifth for the
All 15 members have potential and talent, with Dicheck referring to the squad as a “very deep team.”
Sophomore Liya Davidov looks to come back with the strength she had last year — the same vigor that got her the third most
The women’s continued success this season will hopefully add to their conference winning streak — the longest Division III conference winning streak in the country.
Both the men’s and women’s teams begin their seasons on Saturday, Aug. 31, as they host the Doubles Kickoff Tournament and face the University of the Sciences Southern Virginia.
