Home court has provided a huge advantage for the Oregon men’s tennis team the past couple seasons.
Since the 2003 season, the Ducks have compiled a 13-4 record against non-conference opponents at home. Three of the four losses came against teams that were ranked in the
nation’s top 40 at the time.
The Oregon men (3-1 overall) will look to continue defending their home court against non-conference teams on Saturday when they battle St. Mary’s at 11 a.m. and Eastern Washington at 5 p.m. at the Student Tennis Center.
Junior Markus Schiller said he was happy to return home to Eugene after the Ducks began the dual match season in Honolulu, where they split two matches against Hawaii and
No. 41 Florida State two weeks ago.
In the season’s home opener last Saturday, Oregon displayed two dominating performances when the team handled Gonzaga and Linfield with a pair of 7-0 victories.
“I think we all played pretty well (last week),” Schiller said. “It was good to come back home from Hawaii. Being at home and having two rather easy matches helped us to get back into the season, and it helped us get our rhythm.”
The 23-year-old Schiller has solidified the middle of the singles lineup after winning three of his first four singles matches this season. In his first full collegiate season last year, Schiller finished with a 12-15 singles record.
“I’m just trying to get better match by match,” he said. “It’s not easy playing easy opponents. It’s hard to stay focused for two sets.”
A couple Oregon players have admitted staying focused against weaker teams is difficult at times.
“Sometimes when I have weaker opponents, I don’t play as good or as well, but I wanted to make sure it didn’t happen (last week),” senior Sven Swinnen said. “So I’m happy with that.”
Swinnen is undefeated so far in singles play with a 3-0 record. The 24-year-old, who recently celebrated his birthday on Jan. 22, is ranked the 16th singles player in the nation.
“We were disappointed when we lost to Florida State in Hawaii, but I mean, we had our chances,” Swinnen said. “But we just need to make sure that next time we (win
those matches).”
Women head to Twin Cities for four- team tournament
The Oregon women (3-0 overall) will travel to Minneapolis for the Minnesota Court Classic, a four-team tournament featuring host Minnesota, Boston College and Missouri.
In the season and home opener last weekend, the 27th-ranked Ducks swept a trio of matches against Portland, Utah and UC Irvine.
“I think we’ve started off awesome,” junior Jamie Marshall said. “I think the bottom half of our lineup is a lot stronger this year. We’re really going to help (win) a lot more matches.”
Marshall, who picked up three singles wins last weekend, has anchored the bottom half of the lineup that so far has combined to win eight of its nine matches this season in dual match play.
Sophomore Monica Hoz de Vila, who has a 2-1 singles record, said she is happy about her team’s start.
“I just think we all felt pretty good,” Hoz de Vila said. “We’re all glad our season began, and we’re all excited. There’s much more to come.”
Alex Tam is a freelance reporter for the Daily Emerald