Coming off two wins against Auburn and Princeton, Alabama men’s tennis coach George Husack said the Crimson Tide benefited from from the wins as it prepares for its match at Mississippi State on Friday.
“The last two matches were big motivational. It’s going to give us a boost going into this weekend,” Husack said. “We feel like we’ve been in every match this season, and winning these last two is definitely going to create some confidence.”
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Despite starting off hesitant against Boise State, Husack said the team became more active on the court afterward to secure the victory.
“It was brought up by one of our captains to play with more of a chip on our shoulder,” Husack said. “We’re Alabama, and we have to win our match defending who we are. We responded well against Princeton. Auburn was icing on the cake.”
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The Crimson Tide lost the doubles point to Auburn, but Husack said he told his team not to be discouraged as they geared up for singles.
“The first thing I said to my team is, ‘Wipe the frown off your face,’” Husack said. “We’re a better team. We’re more energetic. I was completely confident in singles that we could get the job done. It’s easy to get down, but it’s only one point. You need four to win.”
Junior Stuart Kenyon said he’s utilizing his time wisely to prepare for the upcoming match.
“We only have two days at home of practice. I’m going to give everything I have to get better and work myself hard,” Kenyon said. “There’s not much time at all to really prepare, so [while] I’m at home I’m going to focus on the things I need to work on.”
It’s a sentiment that is shared by sophomore Becker O’Shaughnessey. O’Shaughnessey said he is going to spend his time practicing for the upcoming match.
“[I’m] trying to get a lot of practice in. We just came back from three matches,” O’Shaughnessey said. “Just working on being intense, competing as a team, and getting ready for another tough week in the SEC.”
Kenyon said the team has improved both on and off the court.
“As a whole, I think we’ve become more mature, more disciplined with what we’re doing on and off the court,” Kenyon said. “Going out there every day with a purpose of what to do and what we’re going to work on to get better.”
Husack said he believes that hard work and discipline trump the most talented players.
“I think your ability to compete and to adjust your game based on the situation. If you compete and you play like you practice in the week, then the result is going to come,” Husack said. “To me, passion and the ability to compete is going to win over talent nine times out of 10.”
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