Tuesday, April 12
4 p.m.
Lehigh University
vs
Bucknell
Lehigh men’s tennis seniors reflect on careers in advance of Tuesday senior day match vs. Bucknell
4/11/2016 10:07:00 AM | Men's Tennis
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh men's tennis team will host Bucknell Tuesday at 4 p.m. in the final home match of the regular season. Seniors Jeremy Kochman and Ricardo Prince will be honored prior to the Senior Day match.
Lehigh carries an 11-3 overall record and 2-1 mark against Patriot League opponents into Tuesday's matchup. The Mountain Hawks are coming off a 4-3 home win over Colgate in their most recent action on April 2. Lehigh earned a 7-0 win over Loyola in its league opener before dropping a tight 4-3 battle at defending champion Navy. Sophomore Jack Petersen leads the team with a 12-1 singles record, including a 3-0 mark against league opponents. Junior Colin Nardella is also 3-0 in Patriot League play.
The Bison are 12-10 overall and 2-1 in Patriot League action. Bucknell has claimed league wins over Loyola (4-3) and Lafayette (7-0), while the Bison fell 4-1 to Colgate. Bucknell earned a 4-3 home win over Lehigh in last season's meeting on April 6, 2015. The Bison won two of three doubles matches to claim the doubles point before the teams split the six singles matches.
Kochman and Prince took time to reflect upon their careers in the Brown and White in advance of Tuesday's Senior Day match.
Jeremy Kochman – Brookyln, N.Y./Poly Prep – Marketing
What's your favorite Lehigh Tennis memory up until this point? Why?
JK: My favorite memory by far is winning the Patriot League Championship and making the NCAA tournament where we played Ole Miss in the first round. It was a surreal feeling that not many individuals get to experience so I am extremely grateful. From Timur Chernykh clinching the epic semi-final match against Bucknell, to the 12-hour delay at the Charlotte Airport, it was the best three weeks or so of my life. The only thing better would be to go out on top as a champion and I am confident in the special group we have this year.
Describe the relationship with your fellow senior
JK: Ricardo and I have been best friends from the beginning. We communicate so well with one another and are always on the same page. Ricardo has an incredible work ethic on and off the court and has grown so much as a leader during our time in Bethlehem. We both have a burning passion for the sport of baseball so our conversations about baseball are special. Overall, I am honored to have been able to call Ricardo my classmate and teammate and cannot wait for our friendship to keep growing as we progress to the next step in our lives.
Describe the feeling going into Senior Day. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
JK: Senior Day is definitely bittersweet. It is my last regular season home match on the beautiful newly renovated Ulrich Courts. I have had so many great memories playing at home and it will definitely be an emotional match. However, at the end of the day, it is simply another Patriot League match against Bucknell. This match is crucial for seeding and we need to bring our A game against a team that beat us last year. Also, I get an opportunity to play fellow senior Nick Bybel, who has won the Patriot League Player of the Year award the past two seasons. I have been looking forward to this match all year.
What will you miss most about Lehigh Tennis?
JK: I have had the pleasure of competing with 19 different teammates over the past four seasons. I developed a special bond with each one of them. The grind of the season presents so many challenges and my fellow Mountain Hawks have made those times easy. In addition to my teammates, I have had the privilege of playing for Coach Hendrix. He has supported me through tough times has been a major factor in my progression as a tennis player and a person. I want to give a shoutout to Jackie Carleton, Taylor Hampshire, and Megan Fitzmaurice who have been fantastic assistant coaches. Lastly, I want to thank Coach Shook for believing in me and giving me an opportunity to play for this program.
What are your postgraduate plans?
JK: I am still in the midst of the job search. I want to do some traveling and may play some low-level professional tournaments this summer.
Ricardo Prince – Blue Bell, Pa./Wissahickon – Physics
What's your favorite Lehigh Tennis memory up until this point? Why?
RP: My favorite Lehigh Tennis memory up to this point has to be winning the Patriot League Championship in 2013. This was an amazing learning experience as a freshman. I was surrounded by great leaders and mentors that showed me what it took to win. This was the first time Lehigh had ever won the Patriot League. Being part of this historic feat was a life changing opportunity.
Describe the relationship with your fellow senior
RP: Jeremy is one of my best friends. We understand each other very well. I can always go to him with anything. We've been on this college journey together since day one and we have grown a lot along the way. We push each other to be the best we can be on a daily basis. I have definitely made a life-long friend in Jeremy Kochman.
Describe the feeling going into Senior Day. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
RP: I am very excited to have the opportunity to play on Senior Day. After not cracking the line up on opening day this season, I thought I would be watching this match on the sideline. However, with endless support from family, teammates, and coaches, I managed to earn a starting doubles position. Being able to play against Bucknell is seeing all my hard work and efforts finally pay off. With my collegiate career nearing an end I can't help but think how much this experience has shaped me into the person I am today. I am grateful for the last four years and I believe it has prepared me for life after college. I am sad to leave this team, but I know I have taken the most out of this journey.
What will you miss most about Lehigh Tennis?
RP: I will miss the team aspect of it. Working together with teammates to achieve a common goal has been an amazing experience. I have learned so much from each of my teammates that I have had during my time here. I have been fortunate to be surrounded by a great group of guys that have served as a great support system.
I will also miss the Kochman's bagels on match days.
What are your postgraduate plans?
RP: I will be going back home and working in Business Technology for Pfizer in the Collegeville offices. My brother, who is only one year older, will also be living at home. It is going to feel like the old high school days with a full Prince household. I'm excited to get my career started. I strongly believe that Lehigh has prepared me for this moment.
Lehigh carries an 11-3 overall record and 2-1 mark against Patriot League opponents into Tuesday's matchup. The Mountain Hawks are coming off a 4-3 home win over Colgate in their most recent action on April 2. Lehigh earned a 7-0 win over Loyola in its league opener before dropping a tight 4-3 battle at defending champion Navy. Sophomore Jack Petersen leads the team with a 12-1 singles record, including a 3-0 mark against league opponents. Junior Colin Nardella is also 3-0 in Patriot League play.
The Bison are 12-10 overall and 2-1 in Patriot League action. Bucknell has claimed league wins over Loyola (4-3) and Lafayette (7-0), while the Bison fell 4-1 to Colgate. Bucknell earned a 4-3 home win over Lehigh in last season's meeting on April 6, 2015. The Bison won two of three doubles matches to claim the doubles point before the teams split the six singles matches.
Kochman and Prince took time to reflect upon their careers in the Brown and White in advance of Tuesday's Senior Day match.
Jeremy Kochman – Brookyln, N.Y./Poly Prep – Marketing
What's your favorite Lehigh Tennis memory up until this point? Why?
JK: My favorite memory by far is winning the Patriot League Championship and making the NCAA tournament where we played Ole Miss in the first round. It was a surreal feeling that not many individuals get to experience so I am extremely grateful. From Timur Chernykh clinching the epic semi-final match against Bucknell, to the 12-hour delay at the Charlotte Airport, it was the best three weeks or so of my life. The only thing better would be to go out on top as a champion and I am confident in the special group we have this year.
Describe the relationship with your fellow senior
JK: Ricardo and I have been best friends from the beginning. We communicate so well with one another and are always on the same page. Ricardo has an incredible work ethic on and off the court and has grown so much as a leader during our time in Bethlehem. We both have a burning passion for the sport of baseball so our conversations about baseball are special. Overall, I am honored to have been able to call Ricardo my classmate and teammate and cannot wait for our friendship to keep growing as we progress to the next step in our lives.
Describe the feeling going into Senior Day. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
JK: Senior Day is definitely bittersweet. It is my last regular season home match on the beautiful newly renovated Ulrich Courts. I have had so many great memories playing at home and it will definitely be an emotional match. However, at the end of the day, it is simply another Patriot League match against Bucknell. This match is crucial for seeding and we need to bring our A game against a team that beat us last year. Also, I get an opportunity to play fellow senior Nick Bybel, who has won the Patriot League Player of the Year award the past two seasons. I have been looking forward to this match all year.
What will you miss most about Lehigh Tennis?
JK: I have had the pleasure of competing with 19 different teammates over the past four seasons. I developed a special bond with each one of them. The grind of the season presents so many challenges and my fellow Mountain Hawks have made those times easy. In addition to my teammates, I have had the privilege of playing for Coach Hendrix. He has supported me through tough times has been a major factor in my progression as a tennis player and a person. I want to give a shoutout to Jackie Carleton, Taylor Hampshire, and Megan Fitzmaurice who have been fantastic assistant coaches. Lastly, I want to thank Coach Shook for believing in me and giving me an opportunity to play for this program.
What are your postgraduate plans?
JK: I am still in the midst of the job search. I want to do some traveling and may play some low-level professional tournaments this summer.
Ricardo Prince – Blue Bell, Pa./Wissahickon – Physics
What's your favorite Lehigh Tennis memory up until this point? Why?
RP: My favorite Lehigh Tennis memory up to this point has to be winning the Patriot League Championship in 2013. This was an amazing learning experience as a freshman. I was surrounded by great leaders and mentors that showed me what it took to win. This was the first time Lehigh had ever won the Patriot League. Being part of this historic feat was a life changing opportunity.
Describe the relationship with your fellow senior
RP: Jeremy is one of my best friends. We understand each other very well. I can always go to him with anything. We've been on this college journey together since day one and we have grown a lot along the way. We push each other to be the best we can be on a daily basis. I have definitely made a life-long friend in Jeremy Kochman.
Describe the feeling going into Senior Day. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?
RP: I am very excited to have the opportunity to play on Senior Day. After not cracking the line up on opening day this season, I thought I would be watching this match on the sideline. However, with endless support from family, teammates, and coaches, I managed to earn a starting doubles position. Being able to play against Bucknell is seeing all my hard work and efforts finally pay off. With my collegiate career nearing an end I can't help but think how much this experience has shaped me into the person I am today. I am grateful for the last four years and I believe it has prepared me for life after college. I am sad to leave this team, but I know I have taken the most out of this journey.
What will you miss most about Lehigh Tennis?
RP: I will miss the team aspect of it. Working together with teammates to achieve a common goal has been an amazing experience. I have learned so much from each of my teammates that I have had during my time here. I have been fortunate to be surrounded by a great group of guys that have served as a great support system.
I will also miss the Kochman's bagels on match days.
What are your postgraduate plans?
RP: I will be going back home and working in Business Technology for Pfizer in the Collegeville offices. My brother, who is only one year older, will also be living at home. It is going to feel like the old high school days with a full Prince household. I'm excited to get my career started. I strongly believe that Lehigh has prepared me for this moment.
Players Mentioned
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