MCC tennis looks to continue success in the spring campaign
The Mesa Community College tennis teams have begun their 2023 spring campaign in hopes of capturing a 9th straight men’s conference title and a women’s conference championship for the first time since 2019.
Head coach Feroz Rast and his men’s team traveled to Northern Arizona University on Jan. 28 for their opener, but suffered a 7-0 loss to the NCAA Division I opponent.
Starting off the season against an NCAA opponent is nothing new for MCC tennis, as they do it most seasons in order to prepare themselves for the tough teams they will face in conference play.
“It was a great experience for us to play against probably the best team we’ll face all year. I told the guys this is a learning opportunity to see where we’re at,” said Rast on the opportunity to play against NAU.
“I know when we get into conference play and the national tournament we’re going to be way more prepared because we’ve seen the toughest we’ve seen all year,” said Rast.
The Lady T-Birds had a bit better showing in their opener, as they took on Pacific Lutheran, an NCAA Division III school. MCC lost in a nail-biter 5-4.
Last season, the women’s team lost to Eastern Arizona College in the Region I championship by just a single point.
Rast and his team have their work cut out for them as they lost a majority of their team from last season, and will be relying on new faces to make an impact for the club.
“On the girls side we’re very young, only two returned from last years top six so I know our work is cut out for us, but we got two and a half month before regionals and we’re going to push for that region title and if not were going to give it our all to get as close as we can,” said Rast.
Both teams were unable to come up with a win against another NCAA Division I opponent in Western New Mexico on Feb. 4.
The men fell 8-1, with Harry Browning being the lone victor. The women’s team fell 9-0. With these losses, Rast is able to dissect what the main areas team to improve on are before they get to the extremely important conference matches which begin in late Feb.
“Focusing on doubles, making sure we have the right chemistry without teams and making sure we hit the ground running because the doubles points are going to be crucial especially against the top two teams in Paradise Valley and Glendale,” said Rast.
The men’s team has been one of the most successful in MCC athletics for the past ten years, as they have won eight straight ACCAC/Region I titles and placed top 10 in the national tournament in six of the last eight seasons.
A key advantage the men’s team has this season is the amount of returners on the team, but that does not mean they will be a shoe in for another title.
“Our mental focus, we’re returning our top six so we want to make sure we’re mature on the court, we’re handing out business in singles and doubles,” said Rast, “so for us to continue that streak we’re going to need to know what it takes with our work ethic.”
MCC tennis will be back in action on Feb. 11 as they take on Ottawa University in their third match of the season. The women’s team will start their conference season on the road as they take on Eastern Arizona College on Feb. 23, while the men will begin theirs at home on Feb. 28 as they host Paradise Valley Community College.
