New faces for Ags as tennis swings into action for 2012 season
Let the grunting begin. Women’s and men’s tennis teams from Utah State pick up action for spring season for the first time this week letting depth, experience and motivation lead the way.
USU men’s tennis team steps onto the courts Tuesday, facing Idaho State University in Pocatello for its first match of the season.
Injuries plagued the team during pre-season, especially for the top Aggie players.
Junior Sven Poslusny suffered a broken pinky finger in fall play but is back and playing at full potential.
Freshman Marcus Fritz, who suffered a shoulder injury, and Matt Sweet, who suffered a sprained ankle, are ready for spring action even though they are still recovering from their injuries, head coach Chris Wright said.
“We are excited about the season and especially since we are healthy,” Wright said. “We have good talent, good depth — it’s just a matter of putting in the work and getting a little lucky.”
With a strong lineup in both singles and doubles, USU will not overpower its competition but, rather, beat them down with its depth and talent, assistant coach Bryan Marchant said.
“Our depth is our biggest strength,” Marchant said. “We have a lot of talent in doubles and are going to be super good.”
The men’s team only senior Fredrick Peterson will play along Poslusny, Fritz and Sweet to lead the Aggies this season.
“We made a lot of progress with the men’s team this year,” Marchant said. “We are talented, with a lot of potential.
The women’s team follows suit Friday, with its season opener at Boise State University.
After a “mediocre” pre-season, the Aggies look to improve their game, Marchant said.
“The women have good experience coming in,” Marchant said. “Last year we felt that the women underachieved a little bit. We went to conference and just didn’t do as well as we wanted them to. This year they are hungrier, they are working harder and we are going to be solid.
The women’s team returns three seniors and is supported by a strong group of incoming freshman and are working hard to prepare for a much-needed win over the Broncos, Marchant said.
“They really want to beat Boise, who has always had a good team,” Marchant said. “They actually believe they can beat them and they want it.”
Juniors Jaci West and Kristina Voytsekhovich will lead the team, along with freshman McKenzie Davis, who looks to continue her pre-season performance.
Wright said Davis’ all-around game brings her play to the next level.
“Davis has played very, very well (in pre-season),” Wright said. “We have a lot of confidence in her coming in. She has a very balanced game.”
Struggling through the fall season, the women’s team is ready to focus and return to action, as well challenge top teams in the Western Athletic Conference, Wright said.
“The girls are enthusiastic to play quality teams,” Wright said. “It is all going to boil down to who wants it.”
– mega.bodi@aggiemail.usu.edu