Joseph Edgecomb / The Collegian
Everyone knows the saying in football that on any given Sunday each team has a chance to win.
The men̢۪s tennis team proved that on Sunday the better team should win as the No. 75 Bulldogs improved its record to 6-2 with outstanding performances in both singles and doubles.
The Bulldogs were firing on all cylinders and were flawless, sweeping Nevada and Santa Clara, 7-0. Coach Jay Udwadia was pleased with his team̢۪s performance.
“The two teams we faced Sunday were both unranked, but to not drop one match is difficult no matter how good you are,â€Â Udwadia said. “We do not take any opponents lightly and came out focused with a good crowd on hand.â€Â
Home court advantage is important in every sport, and the Bulldogs, thus far, have proven that with an undefeated record at home of 5-0 compared to their 1-2 road record.
“The atmosphere is great. Alumni and locals come to support us, and the comfort level of playing at home gives us an extra edge,â€Â junior A.J. Kerin said. “Playing at home definitely is an advantage.â€Â
Number one singles player Rudy Siwy agreed that playing at home is a personal and a team advanrtage.
“Sometimes if you are not on top of your game you could get away with it at home,â€Â Siwy said. “It could be hard to get up for a match on the road but at home I’m always pumped up.â€Â
As the team has played well as a whole at home, no one has benefited more than freshman singles player Siddharth Alapati, who is undefeated when playing at the Wathen Tennis Center.
“These courts suit my game well and I love all the cheering,â€Â Alapati said. “I would like to stay undefeated at home all year, but I know that will take a lot of hard work.â€Â
The Bulldogs have put in their fair share of hard work already as they have played the fall individuals season, which prepares them for the spring season where the team comes together as they compete to move up in the team rankings.
“We are a lot better than what our ranking of 75 says,â€Â Kerin said. “It is a long season though so we just need to stay focused and continue to play hard.â€Â
Staying focused throughout the year with school going on and trying to maintain a life at the same time can sometimes be easier said than done.
“It is tough maintaining a mindset strictly towards tennis. However, coach prepares us well with a walk-through before every game and keeps practices loose,â€Â Alapati said.
While the team doesn̢۪t have any superstitious rituals or traditions before a game, they do try and get together as a team at least once just to relax and take their mind off tennis.
“Each week we try to do something together. It could be playing video games together, going out to dinner or a party. Our chemistry is real good,â€Â Kerin said.
The team will need to continue to stay focused if they would like to contend in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC), as they have a tough schedule ahead.
“Over the next couple weeks we are going to have to find ways to win,â€Â Siwy said. “I would love to win the WAC, but Boise comes to town this weekend and I can’t wait to get a shot at them first.â€Â
The Bulldogs host Nebraska at 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 22. Then on Sunday, the much-anticipated match between the Bulldogs and Boise State will begin at 11 a.m. at Wathen Tennis Center.