Tennis looking to improve upon success

The men and women’s tennis teams have hit the courts and are looking to build off last year’s success. The men have gone 2-1 so far this season, defeating Queens College and Holy Cross, yet falling to Boston University this past weekend. “While I believe we are much improved from last year, the conference is going to be so challenging that we really have to use our non-conference schedule and practice time to make another leap forward over the next two months,” said Coach Jeff Wyshner. The fall season was a successful one for the Stags, as they had strong showings at the ECAC Open and the UConn Invitational. The doubles-tandem of George Casalicchio ’07 and Zack Morrison ’07 won the doubles division of the 2004 Quinnipiac Invitational. Last season, the men finished third in the MAAC championships, with a season record of 10-12 and 4-3 in the MAAC. The men’s next match comes after Spring Break on March 18, against Fordham at home. As for the women, they could not have had a better season last year, winning the MAAC championship title. Though they are the defending champs, Wyshner believes there is still room for improvement. “As we did with last year’s squad, we will have to improve more month-to-month and year-to-year than our conference opponents that are usually bringing in more experienced players,” he said, “but hopefully players with less potential.” The team has struggled of late, beginning the season 0-5, with the most recent loss coming to Holy Cross. “This year’s team cannot be worried about last year’s success.  We have a very different group with four new players in a six-person starting line-up,” Wyshner said.   “Consequently, we are high on potential but a little inexperienced in match situations.”  The women finished fifth at the New England Championships and made little noise in the Eastern Collegiate Championships and 5-1 Invitational in the fall. Last season, the team finished with a record of 19-5 overall and 5-2 in the MAAC, eventually winning the MAAC Championships and competing in NCAA national tournament. The women’s next match is February 26 against Stony Brook.