LUTHER COLLEGE CHIPS
Sports
March 14, 2013
11
Men’s Tennis aims high Norse fall to nationally ranked teams, look for doubles players to step up. Sam Molzahn
Staff Writer
The men’s tennis team started the month with a trip to Michigan to get in top shape for the spring season. The team played Earlham College, ranked 30th in the nation; Case Western Reserve, 7th in the nation; and unranked Kalamazoo College during their trip in Michigan. The team lost all three matches, finishing with a close loss (4-5) to Kalamazoo to end the weekend. James Ayer (‘14) was named IIAC player of the week for his performance. Despite three losses, the players seemed optimistic. “Michigan was fantastic this weekend,” Nick Mozena (‘13) said. “We didn’t pull out any wins, but this weekend was really a point where the team came together. Every year we have that breakthrough weekend, and this weekend was it for us. We got a lot better.” The philosophy behind the trip to Michigan was to play difficult teams and gain experience. Head Coach Adam Strand (‘04) was pleased with his team’s performance. “I thought it was a great trip for us. I think we grew a lot as a team,” Strand said. “There are plenty of teams out there we can beat, but let’s go find some teams that are a little bit better than us and push ourselves and see if we can beat them.” Ayer and Mozena play number two doubles, one of the strongest spots in the lineup according to Strand. “[Mozena] and I practice with each other about a third to a half of the practices while the rest is spent developing our own strokes and game,” Ayer said. “We always make sure we come together to mold our best abilities.” One spot that needs improvement is number three doubles. While the one and two spots have both gone 5-2, the three position has a combined 1-6 record. “[Three doubles] is our biggest question mark right now,” Strand said. “We have to find a couple of guys that can step up. They’re certainly trying hard.” Filling doubles spots can be difficult because it
Photo Courtesy of Luther College
The calm before the serve. Nick Mozena (‘13) and Quinn Foley (‘15) wait in anticipation for the opposing team to serve in a meet last year. This season, Mozena and partner James Ayer (‘14) are 9-4 in doubles action.
requires two players that can work well together. “It is very different from singles,” Ayer said. “Many players on our team who are spectacular at singles don't play as high in our lineup in doubles. There is more focus on teamwork and positioning and you have to be very specific about what kind of ball you play and especially where you place it.” The team’s home opener is April 7 against the University of WisconsinWhitewater. Following that, the team hosts Simpson College, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and Grinnell College April 1314. Strand is looking forward to a successful year. “We want to win our league and go to the NCAA tournament,” Strand said. “Last year our guys were undefeated in the league.” Players are also aiming for another successful season this spring. “This team is going to win our conference and bring the team championship back to Luther where it belongs,” Mozena said. “Another NCAA trip is on our minds.”
“This weekend was really a point where the team came together.”
-Nick Mozena (‘13)
Photo Courtesy of Luther College
This is my racket, there are many like it but this one is mine. Ramesh Karki (‘14) returns a stroke during a meet last year. Karki, the number one singles player. leads the Norse with a 10-6 record.