Three matches in, the men’s tennis team is ready for the rest of the season. The group’s energy is just as high as their ambitions, with goals of playing in the NCAA championships already on their minds. Having won their first match against Emerson College and putting another under their belt this weekend, each athlete is hoping to end in the top four of NESCAC schools, allowing them to advance.
Colby hosted Hamilton and Amherst Colleges on Saturday, March 7 and Sunday, March 8, respectively. The Mules started the weekend strong, defeating Hamilton in five out of seven matches, with all three doubles partners winning. Colby ultimately fell to #10 Amherst with a score of 5–2.
Entering their next matches, the group plans to keep up the strategies that led them to victory on Saturday and are eager to continue their previous success. Against Hamilton, Colby immediately took the lead, winning all three doubles matches. “We definitely started off on a stronger note. Our doubles win kind of set the tone early for us, and we kind of just never looked back and maintained the lead. Individually, I think everyone did a really good job. [We] just kind of stayed composed and stayed positive,” Rhys Spano `29 said.
Considering the role mentality plays in tennis, team members recognize how important it is to receive support from those watching off the court. “It’s all about bringing energy… I think we outmatched [Hamilton] a lot in spirit. That’s one of the biggest things. We were way more competitive than where they were, louder than they were, just all around, just more supportive with our team teammates in general than they were,” Spano said.
Jason Daly `28 has already noticed the difference this passion brings to the team and is excited to see its long-term impacts. “We had a bit of an off year last year, we lost to Hamilton last year, so winning this year is already a huge step in the right direction,” Daly said. “I think after this weekend, our energy was pretty unmatched. We definitely got to the hearts of our opponents early on.”
Beside the energy, Daly also recognizes a change in the team’s makeup, as well as the advantages and disadvantages that it provides. “I think we have an extremely young team. Our starting lineup when fully healthy is only freshmen and sophomores for singles and doubles, which is very unusual for tennis. I think [this makes] trying to stay calm under pressure difficult because we’re so young,” Daly said. “I think we’re all really great competitors. I don’t think anyone gives an inch during the match. I think every point is like a brand new point, which is really important, and our support for each other is amazing. I mean, in the field house this weekend, there was not a moment where it was silent. So I think that’s really impressive, especially for a team that is really young and has not played that many matches.”
As the team rests their cheering voices and continues to practice their game over the next week, they plan to keep up their attitudes when they play MIT on March 14. “We’re going to keep it going,” Spano said.
~ Isabella Boggs `29
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