Playing tough teams is helping Collin College tennis players improve, even though the Cougars don't have as many team wins as they would like, according to their coach.

Coach Jamie Nanez said he thinks his team is playing well overall. They support each other and battle together, which is one thing that he and Assistant Coach Clint Laukhuf emphasize.

"Have good attitudes, support your teammates, and compete hard," Nanez said. "If those boxes are checked, we are good to go."

Nanez acknowledged that the team has not put up as many wins as they would like so far this season. The women's team recently went 0-7 against Harding University, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, and The University of Texas at Arlington before winning 6-3 over Barton Community College. The men's team lost 4-3 to Southeastern Oklahoma State, 5-2 to Texas A&M University-Texarkana, and 4-2 against Harding.

However, he points to the quality of the teams Collin has played so far as a measure of their toughness.

"I always struggle when creating the schedule," he said. "Do I put teams on the schedule that I 'know' we will win against? Or do I put together a very competitive schedule but potentially risk multiple losses? It is always tough."

Nanez said he errs on the side of having a tougher schedule mentioning Cowley, Tyler, Hillsboro, and Eastern Florida as very tough opponents.

"The better the teams we play now, it will hopefully prepare us for those battles coming up in March," he said.

Nanez believes tough matches are the keys to building the team's physicality, mindset, and overall toughness.

"I have told the team so many times that everyone is good at this level, including us," Nanez said. "So what differentiates players is their mindset, their willpower to push through when they are tired, not playing their best, or down in the match.

"We need to continue to increase our toughness. We have done that at times, and when we do … it is beautiful!"