Serving up success:

The men’s and women’s tennis teams complete their fall seasons this weekend at the Omni Hotel Regional Championships.

The top two men and women compete in the fall season finale. Colin Torrance ’04 and Sean Tompkins ’03 will represent the men’s team, while Diana Webb ’05 and Erin Reeves ’04 will compete for the women.

“I’m eager to play this weekend,” said Tompkins, who is one of the team’s co-captains. “There is going to be some very strong competition that we’ll be up against. I think Colin and I are ready to step it up and represent Fairfield well.”

Both teams have had stronger fall seasons compared to last year despite the men’s team beeing plagued by injuries for the last month, according to second-year head coach Jeff Wyshner.

“Our injuries haven’t helped our practices, in terms of getting a good idea for potential doubles teams,” Wyshner said. “However, it has given more experience to the rest of the team.”

Wyshner pointed out that Tompkins has been the biggest surprise on the men’s team, after suffering through injuries the past two seasons.

“Sean has really stepped up. He’s not only healthy this year, but has dramatically improved his play,” Wyshner said.

Tompkins said now being healthy for the first time in three years, has helped him take his game to the next level.

“I finally feel like I can give it my all,” Tompkins said. “Now that I’m healthy, I’m on a level playing field and now my desire can take over.”

The men’s team defeated St. Francis 5-1 last Saturday. Tompkins led the way for Fairfield with a win at second singles, followed by Christian Bangert’s win at third, Adam Bellardino’s victory at fourth and co-captain Mike Pignataro’s No. 5 singles victory.

The women’s team finished seventh last weekend at the Eastern Collegiate Championships at Vermont.

The lady Stags are coming off a second place finish at last year’s MAAC Tournament, but Wyshner admits this year’s team will have trouble duplicating those results again this season.

“I think the women will have a hard time repeating their top two performance from last year, simply because the conference is that much stronger this year,” Wyshner said.

The women’s team has been led by Webb, who plays the top singles position after playing at the No. 2 slot last year.

“There’s definitely more pressure on me this year. There’s more pressure that I put on myself,” Webb said. “I’m extremely excited at the opportunity to play No. 1 singles and to face the other teams’ best players.”

Wyshner agrees that there is a lot of pressure lying on Webb this season, but says the sophomore has stepped up and handled it well.

“Diana has proven right away that she can play at No. 1 singles,” Wyshner said. “It’s really challenged her game to play at that level.”

The Stags look to build upon their successfull fall camaign this spring when the team competes in its main season.