Fresh off a spring break trip to Hilton Head, South Carolina, the Men’s Tennis team is poised to make waves during their competitive spring season.
The team played in three matches over the course of the week, with wins over Roanoke and Mary Baldwin, and a loss to Pfeiffer University. The victory over Roanoke was a thriller, as Michael Niemi clinched the win with the deciding 5th point in his singles set.
The addition of young talent to the roster has bolstered the depth of the team and allowed them to regain their footing after the pandemic affected recruiting.
“The team won the MAC in 2018, but after the pandemic hit, recruiting stopped. Since then, the team has been able to add some great talent and have a great shot of winning it once again,” said Michael Sell, sophomore standout.
It will be a difficult task, as Lebanon Valley is a powerhouse. They are the biggest threat, as Messiah looks to add to their eight MAC wins, the most in the conference.
One key player who is expected to make a huge impact is sophomore phenom Chase Wilson. Wilson turned heads last year, as he quickly became one of the best tennis players in the MAC. He was athlete of the week twice, as well as the outstanding player in the conference. With a year under his belt, Wilson has what it takes to lead the team to another MAC win.
Even though the tennis team has their sights set on lofty goals, they still manage to have fun.
“My favorite memories from the team definitely happened over spring break in South Carolina,” Sell said. “Being around your teammates for a week helps to build strong relationships and get to know each other on a deeper level. When Niemi clinched the victory over Roanoke, we all rushed the court and celebrated as a team. It was a great time.”
With a strong core of seniors and a group of talented underclassmen, Men’s Tennis is set up to win now, and for years to come.
Tag Line: “Centerfield,” written by Matthew Simmons focuses on sports and clubs at Messiah that do not get enough attention. Simmons aims to inform campus about different club and collegiate athletic programs that fly under the radar.