Men's tennis expects a successful 2017 season

With just one senior on the roster and a new head coach, it may sound like this will be a year of major adjustments to most. However, the Muhlenberg men’s tennis team has high expectations and hopes to be amongst the top of the Centennial Conference standings.

“The expectations for the team this year are definitely high,” said David Woods ‘17. “Although we lost a number of starters from last year’s team, our top two players have returned, and we have a number of talented freshmen who will be in the starting lineup and contributing to this team. With the leadership of our new coach, Bruce Levine, we expect to make big strides from where we left off last season.” Woods brings great experience to the Mules both on and off the court. He has been a starter since his freshman season and was number one in the singles line-up and number two in the doubles line-up.

Woods knows that the team’s lack of experience is a challenge, but as the only senior on the squad he understands that it is his job to set an example for the rest of the team and show them how to play competitively at the collegiate level. “As the lone senior on the team, I think that the best thing that I can do is just be patient with the younger guys as they get adjusted to the college game, and try my best to give them as much wisdom as I can from my experiences from past seasons,” said Woods. “Aside from technical advice, I hope that showing up to practice every day and giving it my all during matches will show the rest of the team that if everyone commits, there is no reason why we shouldn’t perform well.”

The Mules’ other top returner is Mickey Schindler ‘18, who, like Woods, played in the number one singles slot last year as well as in the number one doubles spot this year. He has been a strong force in Centennial Conference play and has a winning record through his first two collegiate seasons racking up 36 total wins. The remainder of the returners for the Mules are Nicholas Oliveti ‘19, Steven Shoemaker ‘19, and Jon Yandle ‘19, along with Matthew Maycock ‘18. Oliveti and Shoemaker have the most tournament experience out of the group of returners. The newcomers for the Mules are transfer Andrew Kotch ‘19, Alex Dagilis ‘20 and Andrew Natko ‘20.

With high expectations, the Mules are looking to make the Centennial Conference playoffs for the first time in over a decade, and they are looking to improve over the course of the season. Woods describes that the team is hungry to win, but also willing to have a great time on the court. “This season, the team is most looking forward to improving on our games and improving in the win column, while having a good time,” said Woods. “Our number one goal is to make the Centennial Conference Playoffs, something that Muhlenberg has not done in over a decade. This will be very difficult to do in a very talented conference, but with hard work we know that this is a real possibility.” Just like the women’s squad, the Mules toughest Centennial Conference foe will be the Johns Hopkins Blue Jays. The Blue Jays have won the past nine Centennial Conference Championships. Swarthmore, Haverford, and Franklin & Marshall are also tough conference opponents, as they make the Centennial Conference play- offs on a consistent basis.

“The team bonded a good amount during the off-season and during the season as well,” said Woods. “It is a team of only ten guys, and we are all very close and get along very well, which makes for a great atmosphere. This camaraderie definitely is a big plus going into the season.” Especially for a young squad, the close atmosphere will come in handy during the season, especially when facing their tough Centennial Conference opponents.

Although the lack of experience is the Mules’ biggest obstacle, the return of the top two players from last year’s squad is huge. With improvements, hard work, and high expectations from the rest of the team, the Mules should not be counted out from reaching the playoffs. This will be an enjoyable team to watch this year, and first year head coach Bruce Levine should have the team heading in the right direction this year.

Photos courtesy of Muhlenberg Athletics