The University of Dayton men’s tennis team wrapped up its fall season after the conclusion of the Fall Intercollegiate Tennis Association Regional Championships Friday, Oct. 19, through Monday, Oct. 22, in Memphis, Tenn.
The team had five players in the 128-man singles tournament, and had two players advance to the second round. Sophomore Aiden Koross won his first round match 7-6, 6-2 and sophomore Josh Malyon won his match 6-3, 6-1. Both fell in the second round. The team also had three doubles pairings, all of whom lost in the first round of the 64-team bracket.
Interim head coach Leah Hottois said she was pleased with the team’s overall effort in the tournament.
“I think this tournament showed we need to be more aggressive, especially in our doubles,” Hottois said. “We had some hard shots, but we just need to be more consistent. Saying that, I was very pleased with our conditioning. We worked really hard.”
Sophomore Colin Bernier was also satisfied with the team’s effort in the tournament, and said that despite playing in a tough region of the tournament, the team “proved they can compete with top competition.”
Looking back at the fall season, the team had less than stellar results, but an emerging bright spot is freshman Kyle MacDonald.
The Ontario, Canada native finished the first part of his first collegiate season with a 3-1 singles record, yet he said he was not as satisfied with the record.
“My (fall) season wasn’t as good as it could have been,” MacDonald said. “I found myself getting nervous before matches, so I need to get tougher mentally, and also get more consistency.”
Another bright spot was the doubles play of MacDonald and Bernier, who went 2-1 in the fall season.
Overall, Bernier said the team still has things to learn.
“We’re still young, still growing as a team,” Bernier said. “We’re still getting to know each other, and each other style’s of play. I think things are looking good for the future.”
Hottois echoed this sentiment, saying the team had some good matches, but still needed to grow in general. She said the main things the team will work to improve before the spring season is not only in the technical aspects of the game, but also on working on team chemistry.
As for the current coaching situation, the team has gone without a head coach for the entire fall season, and going into the break, the position has yet to be filled. Despite the absence of a head coach, Hottois said the team has done a fantastic job this fall season, saying the team has
great camaraderie.
On the other side of the matter, Bernier said that he thinks that the situation has had little effect, and that Hottois has been doing a great job.
“She has been awesome, she’s filled the role perfectly,” Bernier said. “I have to admit at first I was worried, but we’ve had no issues thus far. Once she got to know everybody, it
was fine.”
The Flyers will now be off until their spring season starts up on Jan. 25 against Robert Morris University at the Five Seasons Sports Club
in Dayton.
