Tennis teams show success

By Kaitlyn Edwards | gargoyle@flagler.edu

The Flagler men’s and women’s tennis teams are off to a successful start this spring season.

As the men hold a 9-4 record, and the women a 10-2 record, post-season play looks better and better.

“I think we will be in the top 30-40% of the conference for both the men’s and women’s teams,” said head coach Walter Shinn.

“We have become a lot stronger this year.”

As of the recent tennis rankings the women’s team is ranked 23rd in the nation and the men stand at 16th.

David Catrone is stepping up this year and as of now is ranked 6th in the nation and has had an undefeated season. This past week he took on the second ranked player in the nation and defeated him.

“As for the women’s team, Chelsi de Cuba is the senior on the team that is really stepping up and off to a great year,” Shinn said.

Coach Shinn’s goal this year is to have fun and enjoy the game with his teams while working to make it to regional’s.

“We have a solid line up this year with a good balance of players,” Shinn said.

Roxane Alt recently broke her leg, which will be a hardship the women’s team will have to overcome this season.

“She is a great competitor,” Shinn said.

The men’s team holds a 3-2 record in the Peach Belt Conference, while the women’s team stands at a 5-1 record.

Shinn expects upcoming PBC foe, Armstrong Atlantic State University, to be a formidable challenge for his teams.

“Armstrong Atlantic is the best team in the nation and they will be one of our biggest rivals this season,” said Shinn. “In NAIA we were usually in the top 5, but NCAA is more competitive and challenging.”

Men’s and women’s team members are hopeful and optimistic about the remainder of the season.

“My goal this year is to improve my tennis game and help out the team and be a solid player and contributor,” said sophomore Mason Addison. “Making the top 15 in the nation, making a good run in regional’s, and beating Rollins College is on the top priority list for the men’s team.”

“We have many goals and aspirations this year, but primarily to win as many matches as we can and get to nationals,” said junior Deon Miller.

Shinn holds the utmost confidence in the success of his teams.

“We have a very strong men’s and women’s team this year and I look forward to watching them both succeed and go far in their spring season,” Shinn says.

The women’s team will play Clayton State University at home Wednesday in a PBC matchup, while the men will play Erskine college at home on Thursday.