A young man walks around the pristine courts practically grinning, two buckets full of tennis balls in each hand. As the sound of rackets hitting rubber echoes around the Student Indoor Tennis Center, Lee Lenker stops at each court he passes and delivers his cargo, eager to begin another day of practice.
With the way things have been going for his team this season, you can’t blame him for his positive demeanor.
Attempting to build off a successful 2008-09 campaign, Oregon club tennis is in the midst of its 2009-2010 season with high expectations and a talented and experienced roster performing well.
Last year, the Ducks played well in regional competition and qualified for nationals in Surprise, Ariz. The team, which competes with a roster comprised of both men and women players, finished 15th in a field that featured 64 of the best club tennis teams from around the nation.
The finish was an improvement on a 22nd place mark in 2008, and has given the team a reason to be optimistic coming into the tournament this year. The squad has already qualified for nationals at the end of this season as a result of excellent play in this year’s regional competition.
“We won regionals this year, which we haven’t done the last three years,” senior Jason Tudor said. “We feel like this year we could finish in the top five at nationals.”
The Ducks’ dominance this year means they will receive a favorable draw at the national tournament, giving them what they hope will be an opportunity to have their best run in the postseason yet.
The team feels comfortable coming into play knowing they have a roster loaded with experienced players who have been competing at a high level since high school.
The team is anchored by seniors Lenker, Marcella McKee and Tudor. Lenker, the 2005 Oregon 4A singles state champion, believes the trio helps lead the team by establishing a relaxed yet serious atmosphere and helping players unite around a singular goal.
“Everyone on this team is part of a close-knit group,” Lenker said. “As upperclassmen, I feel it’s important we help facilitate communication and coordination among teammates so we can perform at the highest level. Jason and Marcella help me do that.”
McKee also sees the added benefit of having her seasoned teammates around.
“Having been on the team for four years, both Jason and Lee set the tone and let everyone know what we strive for as a team. They give us a purpose, and let everyone know that they can be a part of that,” she said.
The three players know that consistent leadership is important on a team with a constantly-shifting roster. Despite losing two players to Division I rosters early in the season, the team is the deepest it’s been in years, benefitting from tryouts that featured over 60 players trying to make the squad this season.
“Everyone on our team is a very qualified player who knows how to work hard,” McKee said.
“Our team is almost too deep this year,” Tudor joked.
The Ducks already passed their biggest test of the regular season by winning regionals and securing an agreeable draw at nationals. Because of this, Oregon club tennis is staying more focused than ever.
With a deep, adept and venerable roster, they have good reason to believe 2010 could be their best year to date.
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