Rodrigo Lama knows what life on the road is like.

Lama, an SIU men’s tennis player from Santiago, Chile, spent his high school playing days in the International Tennis Federation junior circuit before moving on to South Carolina State University.

After some frustration with the academic program, Lama finally found a home at SIU.

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“I really like the academic program at SIU, and the campus was more to my liking,” Lama said, who is studying management.

During his days playing in the ITF junior circuit, Lama was nationally ranked on the under-18 circuit and was invited to play at an international tournament in Miami his junior year.

Among the crowd were top tennis coaches including South Carolina State University head coach, Hardeep Judge.

Lama said he decided to attend SCSU because he said it looked like a good fit and because the tennis program was nationally ranked.

His first semester at SCSU went well on the court. Lama said he had a good individual season, and the team went to nationals as well.

His off-the-court life was a different story.

Lama said the academic program at SCSU wasn’t to his liking and decided to transfer after his first semester.

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“I didn’t really have any problems with the tennis program, so when I told the coach, he was shocked,” Lama said. “The school just didn’t have the academic program that fit my needs.”

When Lama began to look at schools to transfer to, he got in touch with an old friend.

SIU assistant coach Tomas Gonzales, who had known Lama since he was 15, played for the Salukis at the time.

“He never felt totally comfortable at South Carolina State,” Gonzales said. “We had a history together, so that was one of the reasons he came here.”

Gonzales opened Lama’s eyes to the improving program at SIU.

Lama said he got into contact with Gonzales when he decided to transfer, and he played a big part in him coming to SIU.

Lama now plays from the No. 1 spot for the Salukis. With some of the top players on SIU being held out of the fall season, Lama is being counted on as a leader and a role model.

Although he started the season slow, he has picked up momentum with each tournament. In the Oct. 22 ITA Mid-American Regional, the last tournament of the fall season, Lama elevated his game to a semifinal appearance.

Head coach Dann Nelson said the program definitely needed him this season because of the way he rubs off on teammates.

“When Rodrigo has a good day, he makes his teammates want to go out and do the same,” Nelson said.

Lama isn’t completely satisfied with his results from the fall season, however. He is still looking to improve after every match he plays.

Lama said he was surprised by how badly he started this season, but the last few tournaments have showed improvement against tougher competition.

“Just playing more matches has helped me gain experience,” Lama said. “This offseason I plan on lots of weight lifting and conditioning.”

Nelson also wants Lama to work on the doubles aspect of his game for the spring season.

Nelson said Lama has improved his serve technique in addition to playing more aggressive and using his emotion to his advantage.

“He’s one of the funniest and most emotional players I’ve had,” Nelson said. “When he uses his emotions the right way, he’s tough to beat.”