Ranked No. 1 in the Midwest, the Ohio club tennis team has started the journey toward Nationals.
The team is focused on dominating the competition again this season as the late night of Fall Quarter tryouts, which were held between 10 p.m. and midnight at the Golf and Tennis Facility, have come to an end.
We're lucky to have the facilities we have
said Christina Hagenbaugh, Ohio club tennis president.
This has allowed the team to provide far more opportunities for those in the program. Experienced players are provided with plenty of court time to maintain their skills, while beginners have the opportunity to work with a teaching pro.
I'm really looking forward to playing as a freshman this season tennis player Craig Mauger said. I'll have the opportunity to learn a lot.
The club tennis team is open to players of all experience levels, although many players on the team are former high school standouts, and many advanced to the sectional or state levels, Hagenbaugh said.
The team has already won every home match, as well as every road match; between six and eight men and women travel. Thus far the team has beat Indiana, Illinois and Ohio State on the road.
I look forward to going out of state junior Brian Vornberg said. This weekend we're going to Penn State.
The fall season is typically the busiest quarter for the team. Depending on the team's schedule, players might even get the chance to face some college varsity teams.
We can compete with Division II teams
Hagenbaugh said. It's funny to see some of their players with scholarships get their butts kicked.
Building and maintaining the success of past seasons appears to be the goal once again as the team looks toward the 2005 Nationals being held in San Diego. In the past two years, Ohio has placed 16th and fifth of 40 teams invited to Nationals.
However, there is plenty of hard work to be done to secure a bid to San Diego. If the team can retain its top ranking through its next two matches, an automatic bid to Nationals will be secured.
The toughest competition awaits at home, with Michigan, Ohio's last regular season match, scheduled for Nov. 6.
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