William C. Phillips III

During the off-season the SIUC’s men’s tennis team focused on building its intensity level and raise, its standings in the Missouri Valley Conference in preparation of its March 1 season opener.

Dave Paschal, SIUC tennis coach, said the team has great competitors and the atmosphere during practice has been intense.

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They practice two to three hours a day, and we want all of that hard work to come across on the court, Paschal said. Practicing in an intense atmosphere make players accustom to the tenseness of the matches.

He said the team is weak at doubles and has focused on double drills and strategies do strengthen its play.

It is a very important point to score, Paschal said. You have only three single matches and winning doubles gives you the momentum going into the singles. It’s like winning the battle, but not the war.

Mick Symth, a sophomore in marketing from Melbourne, Australia said he gained good experience from last fall.

I got a chance to get some match play in and found out what areas I need to improve in, Symth said.

The team is currently in the process of trying to find the right combination for doubles Paschal said.

We are still experimenting since a lot of guys have not played with each other, he said.

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Paschal said he is also conditioning the players to get them prepared to stay on the court for two to three hours.

I want to make sure we don’t lose any matches due to players not being conditioned, he said. You can tell your players to do certain things, on the court but one thing a coach can’t control is conditioning.

He said this year’s team is in the growing stage, and has a lot young players that are not accustomed to playing with each other.

The fall was a good time for the players to get to know me, and for me to know them, Paschal said. I plan to try and build the team with solid recruiting so next year we can compete at the top of the conference.

Symth said he wants a chance at showing his ability and be part of a winning team.

I’m trying to develop my whole game and become a more rounded player and improve my weaknesses.

Paschal said the team needs match experience to increase its level of maturity in the game.

Symth said his move from number four to two is a big step.

I hope I can win at least half of my matches and be more competitive, he said. It’s going to be pretty hard.

Paschal said one of his goals for the spring is to finish in the top-half of the conference.

We may not be one of the most talented teams in the conference, but we’re definitely one of the strongest when it comes to fighting on the court.