Men’s Tennis Teams Opens Season at 0-2
By Erica Granados
IV Leader Staff
The men’s tennis team opened this year's season with two losses, one against the number eight team in the nation.
On March 15, the Eagles lost to number eighth ranked Jefferson College of St. Louis 0 - 9. The following day, the men did better against St. Francis of Joliet, losing 1 – 8. The one win went to Ryan Blanco at #2 singles.
"We played extremely well against these two schools," said tennis coach Eric Perez. "Jefferson’s number one player is leaving in two weeks to play Davis Cup so Rob (Washo) was overmatched. But he played the best I’ve seen him play. If he continues to play that well, he’s not going to lose very many mtches.
"Overall, we competed, and for those two coaches to compliment the talent on our team is something to be proud of," Perez continued. "The guys have worked extremely hard this off-season to get where we need to be and this weekend opened our eyes to that. We had a couple of matches that could have gone either way, but the experience of those teams was more important to the outcome."
The Eagles were ranked 21st in the National Junior College Athletic Association’s Division II preseason poll at the beginning of spring semester.
The team is led by Princeton graduate, sophomore Washo who played # 5 last year. Playing #2 singles is L-P graduate Blanco who also played #2 last year. In the #3 slot is a recruit from Spain, freshman David Preago. In #4 is Ottawa graduate, sophomore Kevin Olsen who played # 3 last year. In #5 is Ottawa graduate, sophomore Jason Garner. And at # 6 Seneca graduate, freshman Tim McGorge. At #7 is L-P graduate, Matt Rebholz.
The doubles lineup at #1 is Washo and Blanco, # 2 Preago and Olsen, and team # 3 Garner and McGorge.
Last year, the men’s tennis team won the region, which was an improvement compared to the year before.
Perez said, "I’m pretty optimistic with our chances of winning the region again and winning a lot more matches at the national’s this year than last year. We plan on winning the region and I think we’re stronger than last year- we've got the depth."
As far as the team’s weakness, Perez couldn't identify any significant ones.
Mentioning the loss of Chris Ford, who played #1 singles for two years, Perez said, "The only weakness I can see is that we had a really talented player the last two years. I can’t consider that as a weakness because we do really have a good number one player (Washo) regardless."
The team has been training at the courts on the east side of the school, located by the gravel parking lot and also practicing at Court One, an indoor court Peru. They have been renting the indoor court since the beginning of last year’s tennis season. Perez said using Court One was more economical for the team than traveling to Bloomington, Il.
The weather is always a concern for tennis, Perez said.
"Last year we got snowed out of the match that we are having this weekend," the coach said. "Just as long as we can avoid the snow. We’re also dealing with the wind out here."
Finishing with ten wins, and winning the conference and region last year was a clear indication that the team came a long way. And Perez expects all the players to do well in this year's conference because they are all equally as strong.
Perez is also hoping to improve the team's ranking by having a strong, successful season. Opening the season against two strong teams will help the team learn and improve, Perez said, with the goal being a trip to nationals, hopefully the third consecutive national competition.
Fans can see the men in action at home at 4 p.m. March 21 against Augustana and at noon March 30 against Oakton, weather permitting.