With nine of 11 men’s tennis players fresh on the roster, the team is ready to begin their spring season today inside the indoor facility at Bayard H. Friedman Tennis Center.

TCU will take on Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, which beat the Horned Frogs last year 4-3.
Head coach David Roditi said he expected a battle this year.

“They beat us last year, so I expect them to be just as good this year,” Roditi said. “They have that underdog mentality, which I am a big believer in. I believe they will be hungry and want to come in and beat us again.”

Senior Daniel Sanchez said the team suffered many injuries last season.

“Everyone is healthy this year,” Sanchez said. “The teams are equal, and it’s just about competing at the end.” 

Paul Chappell, a senior and one of the two returning players, said he saw more of a team aspect this season.

“I think we are just really prepared,” Chappell said. “We have great leadership in JT Sundling, who won two national titles at USC, and Orlando Superlano came in and has been a great leader…The whole team is really focused and has worked together this year.”

Roditi said he had his team came back a week earlier this year to begin two-a-day practices.

“We increased the work load right in the beginning of this semester, and we have concentrated on playing with an aggressive style, which is more conducive to playing indoors,” Roditi said.

However, Roditi said there were some concerns because the team consisted of either freshmen or transfer students this season.

“There’s going to be a lot of people out here for the match,” Roditi said. “It’s going to be loud, [and] for a lot of our players it’s their first dual match at TCU, so there’s going to be some emotions they will be going through.”

Chappell said it was going to be a whole new team for the new season.
“If we play up to our ability and stick together as a team, I think we will be fine,” Chappell said.

TCU vs. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi

What: TCU men’s tennis
When: Today at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Indoor facility at Bayard H. Friedman Tennis Center