Men's Tennis Ready for Season's Start

By: James Reagan

Posted: 3/11/10

With the arrival of spring comes the start of tennis at Messiah College. The men's tennis team starts their season on March 24th with a game at home against long-time rival Elizabethtown College. Their long pre-season is almost over, and they are eager to start playing again.

The men's team is younger this year, with no seniors and several new players on their roster. But the team does bring back some of their best players from last year, such as sophomore Mike Elliot and junior Jansen Hein. Hein, who is also a team captain, says, "With the experience of veterans and the enthusiasm of the new players, the season outlook is very promising."

Like most spring teams, the men's tennis team lost practice time because of the incredible snowstorms in February. However, they are not too disappointed, as they will be going to Hilton Head, South Carolina to prepare for the season during spring break. In the meantime, as the weather has gotten nicer they have practiced outside and according to Hein, they are "Locating our individual rhythm."

The team is especially determined to get back to the MAC Commonwealth Championship after a disappointing ending last year. The Falcons were upset by Lebanon Valley College with a 5-2 score. The upset ended a streak of three consecutive years where Messiah College had taken home the Commonwealth Championship.

However, this year the team's goals include more than just winning the conference. They hope to head back to nationals and to win a national championship, and they are confident that this is possible. Hein says, "If the team as a whole plays to its potential, I think we are more than capable of meeting this goal."

So make sure to set aside some time to watch the men's tennis team at home. They have a bright outlook for this year and could very well be one of the best teams in their conference.