Mesa State Men's Tennis Team Set for Action
(September 15, 2006)
(Article by Baker Geist)

Throughout college athletics, different teams have different goals. Some wish simply for a winning record, while others desire a conference championship. Then there are those who wish to go above and beyond and earn national attention. In the case of the Mesa State men's and women's tennis teams, getting national attention isn't just something that is dreamt about, but something that serves as motivation throughout each season.

As the 2006 season gets underway for both teams, optimism is in the air. With the men's team earning a trip to the National Collegiate Athletics Association Division II tournament last season, and the women falling one game short, the goal is very simple. Build on last year's success.

For that goal to be accomplished, improved play is a necessity. On the men's side, despite finishing 12-10 overall in the Division II standings last season, they finished with a 3-4 Rocky Mountain Athletics Association record in the spring season and a 1-1 RMAC record in the fall season.

Men's and women's tennis coach Dan MacDonald makes no excuses for the results. "We had a lot of close matches that we should've won," MacDonald said.

In order to do better in the RMAC this year, MacDonald is relying on senior Micah Hill to lead a team otherwise full of young talent. "Micah Hill is definitely a leader," said MacDonald, adding, "he stuck around in the summer and worked out hard in the off-season. He's coming back strong."

The women are coming off of a year in which they went 17-8 overall in the spring season and 2-1 overall in the fall season. Such strong play carried them to the finals of the RMAC tournament and ultimately a second place finish in the conference.

As the team is gearing up for another year, depth should not be a problem as they look to continue there strong play.

Leading the lady Mavericks this year will be junior Teri Mayeda whose outstanding play in singles completion should keep the team headed in the right direction. "She hasn't lost a RMAC singles match in two years," MacDonald said. Junior Drisa Carrizo, injured last year, should also provide experience.

Although, the women had great success last season, MacDonald knows his team is not satisfied. "They are a little upset that they didn't win the RMAC last year," said MacDonald, adding, "They're goals are the same, win the RMAC."

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