Sunday, February 3
Bethlehem, Pa.
11 A.M.
Lehigh University
vs
Villanova University
Men's Tennis Begins Season At Home Against Villanova This Sunday
2/1/2019 5:08:00 PM | Men's Tennis
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – After a competitive season that saw the men's tennis team go 12-9 overall and 5-3 in the Patriot League, the Mountain Hawks are ready to push forward with a league championship on their minds.
After an extensive off-season schedule and a competitive fall tournament slate that saw the Mountain Hawks go up against some of the top regional programs in the area, head coach Wouter Hendrix has liked what he has seen out of his group leading up to the beginning of the season.
"I've been impressed with how our team has been committed to their off-season workouts because we only have two weeks of practice before our first match. Teams like Villanova already have a couple matches under their belt, so it'll be a bit of baptism by fire for us come February 2," said Hendrix. "We'll know a lot more about our team after Sunday, and then we take on Drexel, which can be compared to a top Patriot League team. We scheduled those two teams early on to see how our kid's offseason commitment has been and I'm optimistic about how we'll do to start the season."
Unlike most sports where the coach can only evaluate their players progression on practices before the regular season, the Mountain Hawks were hard at work this past fall competing in three tournaments along with seeing a group of players go to Princeton N.J. to compete in the ITA Regionals. Among those to earn a spot in the ITA Regionals were sophomore Harry Wang, freshman Zack Elliot, junior Jack Martin-Dyer, sophomore Jacob Edelchik and freshman Gary Fishkin. For his performance in the fall, Edelchik was ranked among the top-125 players in the nation by the ITA, being ranked 116th among all Division I tennis players.
Lehigh won't have to go far for its matches to begin the year, as the first eight matches Lehigh will play will be at the Lewis Indoor Tennis Center. In total, Lehigh will host 10 home matches this year with another 10 set to be played on the road.
"Unfortunately, the schedule is designed with how the climate is here in the northeast. Do we wish that we could play outdoors year-round, of course? However, we are extremely blessed and privileged to have an indoor facility," said Hendrix. "It shows Lehigh's commitment to tennis and having the opportunity to play and practice indoors at consistent and regular times is an incredible luxury, so we take a lot of pride protecting our home court."
The Mountain Hawks will also get to look forward to a trip to Charleston, S.C where they'll play The Citadel, the College of Charleston and Radford University from March 10 through March 13.
Lehigh will have a good deal of experience to fall back upon, as seniors George Cooper, Bryant Born, Sam Bencheghib, Christopher Auteri along with junior Martin-Dyer should be able to give the Mountain Hawks a good veteran presence.
"All our upperclassmen have gained a lot of experience playing here, they've been on the winning end of things as well as the losing end, so they know what it takes to be successful here. Our seniors are eager to transmit their knowledge to the younger players. I have a lot of faith and trust that in their ability to continue the culture we've established," said Hendrix.
Returning for their sophomore year are Edelchik and Harry Wang, who was named to the Second Team All-Patriot league last season as a freshman. Already getting playing time and testing their mettle are freshmen Andrew Nakhjavan, Fishkin and Elliot.
"I think we have a good freshman class this season, I've been impressed with their level of play. The transition to the college game is a difficult one, but I'm confident that all three of our freshmen have the ability to be successful in their first year and have shown in the fall that they are capable," said Hendrix.
The Mountain Hawks will once again aspire of winning the Patriot League Final, but that task won't be an easy one, especially with the strong talent already in the league to begin with.
"It's tough to say where we'll finish, we have some learning and growing to do, but the framework is in place for us to do some big things this season. The Patriot League keeps getting stronger and more competitive each year; with Army, Navy and Boston University looking good as usual," said Hendrix.
Lehigh begins its season at the Lewis Indoor Tennis Center on Sunday, February 3 as the Mountain Hawks host the Villanova Wildcats at 11 a.m. to begin the season.
After an extensive off-season schedule and a competitive fall tournament slate that saw the Mountain Hawks go up against some of the top regional programs in the area, head coach Wouter Hendrix has liked what he has seen out of his group leading up to the beginning of the season.
"I've been impressed with how our team has been committed to their off-season workouts because we only have two weeks of practice before our first match. Teams like Villanova already have a couple matches under their belt, so it'll be a bit of baptism by fire for us come February 2," said Hendrix. "We'll know a lot more about our team after Sunday, and then we take on Drexel, which can be compared to a top Patriot League team. We scheduled those two teams early on to see how our kid's offseason commitment has been and I'm optimistic about how we'll do to start the season."
Unlike most sports where the coach can only evaluate their players progression on practices before the regular season, the Mountain Hawks were hard at work this past fall competing in three tournaments along with seeing a group of players go to Princeton N.J. to compete in the ITA Regionals. Among those to earn a spot in the ITA Regionals were sophomore Harry Wang, freshman Zack Elliot, junior Jack Martin-Dyer, sophomore Jacob Edelchik and freshman Gary Fishkin. For his performance in the fall, Edelchik was ranked among the top-125 players in the nation by the ITA, being ranked 116th among all Division I tennis players.
Lehigh won't have to go far for its matches to begin the year, as the first eight matches Lehigh will play will be at the Lewis Indoor Tennis Center. In total, Lehigh will host 10 home matches this year with another 10 set to be played on the road.
"Unfortunately, the schedule is designed with how the climate is here in the northeast. Do we wish that we could play outdoors year-round, of course? However, we are extremely blessed and privileged to have an indoor facility," said Hendrix. "It shows Lehigh's commitment to tennis and having the opportunity to play and practice indoors at consistent and regular times is an incredible luxury, so we take a lot of pride protecting our home court."
The Mountain Hawks will also get to look forward to a trip to Charleston, S.C where they'll play The Citadel, the College of Charleston and Radford University from March 10 through March 13.
Lehigh will have a good deal of experience to fall back upon, as seniors George Cooper, Bryant Born, Sam Bencheghib, Christopher Auteri along with junior Martin-Dyer should be able to give the Mountain Hawks a good veteran presence.
"All our upperclassmen have gained a lot of experience playing here, they've been on the winning end of things as well as the losing end, so they know what it takes to be successful here. Our seniors are eager to transmit their knowledge to the younger players. I have a lot of faith and trust that in their ability to continue the culture we've established," said Hendrix.
Returning for their sophomore year are Edelchik and Harry Wang, who was named to the Second Team All-Patriot league last season as a freshman. Already getting playing time and testing their mettle are freshmen Andrew Nakhjavan, Fishkin and Elliot.
"I think we have a good freshman class this season, I've been impressed with their level of play. The transition to the college game is a difficult one, but I'm confident that all three of our freshmen have the ability to be successful in their first year and have shown in the fall that they are capable," said Hendrix.
The Mountain Hawks will once again aspire of winning the Patriot League Final, but that task won't be an easy one, especially with the strong talent already in the league to begin with.
"It's tough to say where we'll finish, we have some learning and growing to do, but the framework is in place for us to do some big things this season. The Patriot League keeps getting stronger and more competitive each year; with Army, Navy and Boston University looking good as usual," said Hendrix.
Lehigh begins its season at the Lewis Indoor Tennis Center on Sunday, February 3 as the Mountain Hawks host the Villanova Wildcats at 11 a.m. to begin the season.
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
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