Brock Hughston
Reporter
The men’s tennis team has high hopes of a winning season this spring, according to junior and team captain Patrick Mitchell.
“We have a lot of things going for us this year,” said Mitchell. “We picked up some strong freshmen which will help our chances considerably.”
Former Virginia Intermont tennis player Brandon Pike joins the team as their assistant coach.
“I’m confident (Pike) will add a lot to our practices and make us a better team,” Mitchell said.
The new freshmen this year include Tom Jones, Ryan Reynolds, and Jon Toler.
“We’ve got a deep team,” said freshman Tom Jones. “It’s a good feeling coming into a team like this my first year.”
The team’s biggest competition most seasons is VI, King College, and Tennessee Wesleyan, according to Mitchell.
“There are a lot of good teams in the conference and I’m confident that we will do well,” Mitchell said, “but winning the conference tournament would be a major upset.”
“Practice is what will make this team,” said Mitchell. “Brandon (Pike) will be a big help; so will our talent. But the biggest determinant of our success is going to be our drive and ambition to practice hard. These guys have proven that they have the desire.”
Jones and Reynolds made quite a showing last semester, defeating the top seeded doubles team from both Mars Hill and Carson Newman.
“They work well together,” Mitchell said. “Any doubles team that gets into a rhythm is hard to beat.”
The two freshmen remained undefeated last semester until the annual Liberty Bell tennis tournament.