The Kennesaw State tennis programs are set to begin their spring seasons soon, as several new players and coaches will shape the identity and success of the teams.
A year ago, the women’s tennis program went into their spring season with an experienced group of familiar faces, including Atlantic Sun All-Conference star Alexandra Mercado and fellow seniors Kennedy Craig and Laura Hopton.
From that team, only three regular starting players return while sophomore Brenna Reilly played only in the fall season last year.
For new Director of Tennis Matt Emery, the challenge for his first season will be to use the experience of the returning players to help bring confidence to the five freshmen on the team.
Included in the new crop are three international players and one local product. A balance of international and domestic players has been a theme for the tennis program for several years and has produced many talents.
The women’s team begins their season in familiar territory for Emery, as the Owls travel to the University of Kentucky, where he both played and coached tennis. They will play at Kentucky on Wednesday, Jan. 16, before coming home to host Arkansas on Friday.
For both the men’s and women’s teams, an important source of knowledge and experience will come from assistant coach and former KSU tennis standout Simon Pritchard. He was an All-Conference player on two occasions and a four-year team captain.
Next month will be the beginning of the spring season for the men’s team, which is in a contrasting position to the women’s team. Five regular players return from last season, including ASUN Player of the Year Fermin Calvo Barcelo. Also returning are Lucas de Torres Curth and All-Freshman star Bryan Triana.
As a whole, the team gradually improved last season and will now have a variety of options to help continue the progress made. All four of the freshmen this year come from the Atlanta area, while junior transfer Sebastian Osorio hails from Colombia.
The men begin their season at home, hosting the University of Connecticut on Sunday, Feb. 3.
