Coach's Corner: Michael Hunt, TLU's Head Tennis Coach

This week I got in touch with Michael Hunt, TLU’s head tennis coach. The beginning of June 2010 marked a change in the body of TLU Tennis, Hunt came in and put all of his attention in creating a program that embodied success. Hosting tournaments, local clinics and summer camps became normal for TLU Tennis thanks to Hunt. He has put TLU players in ASC All-Division spots, coached Sofia Vega through national tournaments and pushed the team to excel academically simultaneously. 

I got to ask him a bit about the current season, the conversation is below: 

Q: What was your goal at the beginning of the year for TLU Tennis? 

A:        We actually don't set team goals until the beginning of the spring. We have a pretty thorough list of program goals and objectives that we are always working towards, which include on-court performance, academics, community service, recruiting, marketing, etc. Without getting too specific, we are always trying to get to the "next level" in each of those categories.  

What have you been working with the team on to achieve those goals? 

The fall is really more about teaching the new players our system - how we practice, introducing them to college academics and athletics, teaching them how to play our style of doubles, and getting them used to a team concept which is new for many of them. 

Head Tennis Coach Michael Hunt. 

Photo courtesy of Michael Hunt.

Which wins this year have been crucial? Which wins have been really important? 

The women really have been impressive in each of their first two tournaments - the ITA Regional and the Doc Skogman Invitational. The freshmen have already bought into doubles and have easily had the best team fall semester since I've been here. Sofia winning her second straight ITA Regional Tournament and qualifying for the ITA Small College National Championships (in South Carolina) is also a highlight. 

Have any losses been hard or unexpected? 

The men struggled in their only tournament - the Doc Skogman - last weekend. We only added one new men's player this fall and many other teams added more new ones. So, we are probably still about the same level, but other teams around us are getting better. We are going to have to work harder to be better by spring. 

Which players have been crucial in holding down their spots? 

I think Gunner (Robison) looks better so far this fall. He is more comfortable and understands how we do things now, so he's off to a faster start. Ryan (Beene) also looks better today than one year ago. It's good to have Cliff (Pack) back - we didn't have him for much of last season. We miss Wade (Dillenbeck) who is recovering from knee surgery last year and won't be back until December. 

Which players have stepped up to a role they weren't previously inhabiting? 

All of the first-year players (Alli McLain, Peyton Webster, Joni Baxley, Megan Ingram, Carly Miller, and Cody Lane) have been impressive so far. The women's team now has very good depth, which we've never had since I've been here. I haven't looked yet, but I think we've won more matches this fall than we have in the past.  

What are you expecting to be challenges for the rest of the season? 

As I mentioned, the men have to work harder and get better. Our competitors added more new players, so they all have improved. If we stand still, we will move backwards. So, we've got to work harder on-court and in the weight room and in conditioning. We need some of our juniors and sophomores to take leadership roles and set a hard working practice ethic on a daily basis. 

For the women, they just need to adjust to college tennis, college academics, and college life. Their challenge will be to adjust to the growing pains while hopefully being more competitive and picking up more team wins. 

What is your prediction for the end result of the season? 

I don't really believe in making predictions. I know our women's team is better already and if they work hard, we should finish higher in the SCAC than we did last year. The men's team has high expectations with winning the ASC West two years ago and finishing second in the SCAC last year. I don't know if we can do that again or not.  

Both teams just need to focus on grinding, day-in and day-out and focusing on improving. Wins will come if you are better. But you can't think so much about wins or accomplishments. Just improve and get better each and every week of the year. 

Hunt is dead set on improving the tennis program, this is evident with the increase of participation and of events in general. Expect to hear more from Coach Hunt and his team as they begin their next season in the upcoming semester. 

Dylan Stork, Reporter