With the conference tournament just a week away, the men’s tennis team decided to take it easy during its non-conference match against L.A. Pierce College last Tuesday, losing 7-2.
This match was different from the rest considering that player Andy Stier played in the No. 1 court while Usama Ehsan played in the No. 3 court to have Stier get a taste of a tough opponent.
“Switching courts with Andy was a good idea on the coach’s part,” Ehsan said. “I think Andy has such great potential to be a No. 1 player. As for me, I needed to take it easy and rest my leg before our big tournament.”
Since it was a non-conference match, there was no pressure to win but rather room to practice different strategies and work out new techniques, Ehsan said.
“We weren’t looking for a win,” Van Kanegan said. “This was our chance to have Usama and Sammy focus more on technique while Andy faced what I consider an ‘A’ player.”
Every match has been a learning experience for Stier.
“A win helps me gain confidence and a loss is simply a lesson to be learned,” Stier said.
Sammy Macias played a spectacular match.
“Sammy’s playing style is different from the team,” Ehsan said. “He moves across the court with agility and strength and hits those balls so hard it would make your mom cry. Watching Sammy play is like poetry in motion.”
“My opponent was strong but not quick,” Macias said. “It’s a game of speed and intelligence, not strength.”
Usama is still getting treated for his Achilles strain.
“I really hope my injury doesn’t haunt me,” Ehsan said. “The coach has me doing a lot of physical treatment to help my leg heal.”
Yang Hee Lee, 25, is also undergoing physical treatment for his back pain due to an injury outside the court.
“We look forward to a promising tournament and hope to come out near the top of the ranks,” Van Kanegan said. “With or without any success, we will all have a great time giving it our all.”