The men’s tennis team began play on Feb. 2 in Conway against Hendrix College, sweeping them 9-0. Their next match was against Delta State University in Arkadelphia on Feb. 19, which they lost 2-5.
“Delta State was our first tougher match, and we definitely had our struggles,” senior John Rowden said. “We are a young team, so we are learning. I think we will be fine.”
Head coach Marco Ruiz felt the same, and said that challenging matches early on will help the team in the long run.
“The loss to Delta State certainly brought us closer as a team and made us stronger physically and mentally,” Ruiz said. “This match was the first true challenge to a few of the players and I am confident that they grew from the experience.”
The team has 11 players and the majority are freshmen and sophomores.
“We are a more secure team this year,” sophomore Brandon Hogland said. “For example, if our number one guy gets hurt, we can have someone fill in.”
Hogland also said that this year’s team has a new dynamic, and that one of their biggest strengths is that many players are evenly matched in ability. Both he and Rowden agreed that having such a balanced team will help them in the long run.
“Right now we’re not where we want to be,” Rowden said. “But at the same time we have so much more potential than what we played against Delta State. So we talked about how right now we’re here but as the season goes on we want to go up and peak at the right time. With a team as solid as we have that is very realistic.”
One of the things they are continuing to work on is relationships within the team and with their head coach.
“My relationship with my players is based on trust and respect,” Ruiz said. “They know that I like to work hard to make them better tennis players and, above all, better Christians. I feel very blessed to be able to share my experience and knowledge of the sport with them.”
Rowden and Hogland echoed their coach’s words and said they both understand and value Ruiz’s decision making and trust his guidance for the team.
“He is very good at being close to all his players, which is great,” Rowden said. “I think you need that personal relationship with your coach especially with a smaller program like we have.”
Despite their early struggles, confidence is high, and Rowden was not shy about his expectations for his senior year.
“It is going to be a fun season,” he said. “I fully expect us to win our conference.”
The Bisons next match is tonight at 8 p.m. in Springfield, Mo. against Drury University.
