Over Spring Break, following a mix of wins and losses prior to their trip down to Orlando, Florida. The Pipers logged a four match win streak, only dropping just five matches the whole time.
Reflecting on the time away from campus, Head Coach Spencer Jones believes turning their full attention to the sport was what allowed them to dominate on the court.
“Spring break was a great time for us to focus just on tennis, and our performance improved as a result,” Jones said.
That same degree of domination would not follow them into their first post Spring Break MIAC match, where they were taken down by the aforementioned Bethel. However, with two more MIAC. matches coming up quickly, the plan remains clear, “We have one of the best conferences in the country and are looking to be healthy and focused to notch some more conference wins before the end of the season,”Jones said.
Sophomore Tyler Rousslang has accumulated a three match win streak after trouncing Susquehanna University’s Harry Becraft in a narrow 11–9 effort. Although it is up to him to take home the win on the court, victories are often the result of your coaches and your teammates pushing you to be better.
“I would attribute the success to my team and coaches who push me to be the best version of myself,” Rousslang said “Whether it is in practice battles between teammates, coaching tips from [my coaches]or the positive words of affirmation from the team, we are always there for each other, and having that supportive environment has helped me so much.”
First-year phenom Keegan Terrone has also displayed a recent win streak, with his standing at the time of this writing at 6–0 since his last loss to Saint John’s University’s Mark Rosen on Feb. 24.
With the team gearing up for a match with the Cardinals of Saint Mary’s on Sunday, the Pipers will have a tough battle on their hands. Having lost to Saint Mary’s last year after a barnburner of a 4–5 game, Hamline will be staring down a staggering 1–9 losing record versus the Winona natives, with the only time the Pipers managed to beat them coming in April 2022. But with a renewed confidence exuding from the players and coaching staff, perhaps not all is lost for Hamline’s finest on the court.