Collin's tennis teams are picking up wins as they prepare for national tournaments in May. Fans can celebrate sophomore players' success at the Sophomore Sendoff event on Thursday, April 18.
The men's and women's teams defeated The University of the Ozarks 9-0 and 7-2 respectively last week in what Coach Jamie Nanez called "tune up matches" for the Southwest JUCO tournament and eventual national tournament appearances.
"They played well," Nanez said. "It was a good day of tennis. We are working to string together three or four days of good tennis as we prepare for nationals."
During Southwest JUCO, Minjae Kim won two matches in No. 1 Singles against Tyler Junior College (TJC) and Weatherford College after a loss to Seward College to take the top spot in the flight. Jose Castillo and Kim won all three of their doubles matches as well. Luka Stula and Enrique Doldan also came up big in doubles with wins over Seward and TJC.
Seth Seeley took an opponent from TJC to three sets before losing but beat a Weatherford player in three sets later in the tournament.
Nanez said that seeing the players battle for three sets is a positive sign and he believes the matches could have gone either way. Overall, he said that things are looking positive for the teams over the past few weeks.
"We are a different team from a month ago and we will be a different team in a month," Nanez said. "The stuff we are doing in terms of fitness are paying off. You don't notice it until you need it, and we needed it this weekend. There is so much tennis in such a short time that being able to come back and be upbeat tells me we are on the right track."
On the women's side, Sophia Dalla and Mikayla Plitt picked up a pair of wins over Seward and Weatherford. The doubles team was a last-minute pairing after Ekaterina Orlova had to withdraw from the tournament with a sprained ankle.
"They have played together before, but haven't played much as a team," Nanez said. "It was intense. They were battling."
Unfortunately, the women's team is suffering from injuries with four of the team's seven players missing practice and possibly tournament time. In addition to Orlova's sprain, three others are recovering from heel, shoulder, and knee injuries.
For now, Nanez is hopeful the players can recover and return for the NJCAA Women's National Tournament in Tyler, May 4-8. The next few weeks will be important for both teams.
"Every day matters at practice," Nanez said. "We have to simulate the stress of having to play our best tennis. That's how we prepare for what is coming."
Cougar Tennis fans can watch the last regular season match on Thursday, April 18. A ceremony to celebrate the team's sophomores begins at 9:45 a.m. and the match begins at 10 a.m. Collin students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to attend and cheer the players on.