After a season with the sudden loss of star player Alex Rovello, the Ducks will have a fresh new season to play on the recently dedicated Alex Rovello Court.
“There were so many magical moments that were created by Alex right here on this very court,” head coach Nils Schyllander told GoDucks.com in November. “He helped this program make huge strides on this court, and he did it with class and integrity. This court is so special all because an incredible person gave us so many special moments. Those moments will live on forever. He will never be forgotten.”
The Oregon men’s tennis team finished 2013 with a 16-8 record. Though the record itself is a success, the season demonstrates a story of struggle, on the road and in the conference.
The Ducks will have tough competition early this season when on Jan. 25 they will be in Durham, N.C. to play No. 7 Duke and either No. 43 North Carolina or No. 49 San Diego State the following day.
Oregon opens the year ranked No. 52 in the ITA, just one rank higher than their final ranking last season.
Due to their 2-6 record in conference play, the Ducks will have the luxury to play five of their eight conference game,s and the two highest ranked Pac-12 teams, at home. Last year the Ducks fell 0-7 in both matches against USC and UCLA. On Mar. 28 and 29 the UO men’s tennis team will host No. 4 USC and No. 2 UCLA.
The Pac-12 could be considered one of the most difficult conferences in the nation, as there are two Pac-12 schools ranked in the top four. Currently five teams are ranked in the top 50 and three in the top 25. Oregon will need to outplay their conference opponents to be considered an elite Pac-12 team.
The Ducks will be led by their only senior, Robin Cambier. The Belgium native led the team this fall season with nine wins. Two of his nine wins this fall occurred at the USTA/ITA Northwest Regionals in Moraga, Calif. Cambier also made school history last year, recording 22 overall wins which ranks fourth all-time in Oregon history.
Cambier’s doubles partner and fellow Belgium native, Kevin Farin, is playing in his first season with Oregon. Farin is already making a name for himself before the regular season has begun. Farin and Cambier posted a team best 8-1 doubles record this fall. Though Farin succeeds as a doubles partner, Farin also has successes playing alone. The 6-foot-1 sophomore recorded 7-3 in singles this fall and reached the semifinals of the Easley Memorial, besting two top 76 opponents in the process.
Oregon will open their regular season on Jan. 17 against Portland State at 10 a.m. in Eugene.
Follow Andrew Bantly on Twitter @abant3