When the Alabama men’s tennis team travels to Texas to conclude its season-opening road trip, it will be looking to build momentum for what coach George Husack hopes will be an exciting season.
The Crimson Tide is coming off one of the most impressive weekends in its recent history, narrowly losing to No. 16 California and beating San Diego 4-3. Husack said those performances will be important in setting the tone for this weekend and the upcoming season.
“We were ready to compete against Cal regardless of any rankings or seedings,” Husack said. “We had them against the ropes and had chances to put them away. Being so close and not winning can be mentally and physically draining. Coming back against a good San Diego team and winning said a lot about our will and ability to respond to tough situations.”
Husack said that will and mentality will be key when the team travels to play the Longhorns this weekend.
“[We won’t make] many changes at all from last weekend other than to replicate what we did really well on both days, and that is to compete our tails off,” Husack said. “We must focus on what we can control and not get caught up in the things we can’t control.”
Upperclassman leadership will be the key to the winning philosophy of the tennis program this season, with senior Daniil Proskura and juniors Stuart Kenyon and Andrew Goodwin having a huge impact on a very young team.
“Half of the team is new to college tennis and competing in very intense situations,” Husack said. “Last weekend was our first of many mentally and physically challenging matches we will have this season. The captains really impact the minds of the younger guys and help teach them throughout the year.”
The competitive nature of the team is a top-down attitude, with Husack preaching the merit of mental strength over raw talent. As such, the tennis team’s recent success has not been a shock to the coach.
“I’ve been more impressed than surprised,” Husack said. “I felt going into this season that this team was a group of great competitors. If we compete, I know we’ll have a shot in all of our matches. Coach DeHeart and I believe that passion and competing has a way of trumping talent and logic.”
The Crimson Tide’s passion will certainly be tested against the Longhorns, who are 5-0 on the season, with road victories over nationally ranked Vanderbilt and Wake Forest, including a 4-set sweep of the Commodores.
