Tennis: Different year, same goals

With 20 conference championships combined, the men’s and women’s tennis teams are used to being dominant. With the teams’ combined 17-5 record thus far, this year remains no exception. At this point in the season, however, it’s some of the losses that stand out rather than the wins.

All five losses this season have come at the hands of ranked teams. The men’s team has fallen to 7th-ranked Duke, No. 8 Virginia and No. 31 Minnesota. The women’s team dropped matches with No. 11 California and No. 14 Clemson.

“It’s always good to play these ranked teams,” said Paul Kostin, head coach of both teams. “If you are good and ranked, you have to play ranked teams. I think we have a tough schedule, and we have the same schedule every year.”

While losses mean less than perfect play, Kostin feels the losses can provide a good opportunity for the season.

“Sometimes it’s good to have a loss early in the season. It gets everyone to wake up and realize that we better be sharp every time out.”

Being sharp is certainly something that both teams do well. The men’s squad currently holds victories over 26th-ranked Wake Forest and No. 66 East Tennessee State. Seven of their victories have come by shut out. The women’s team has victories over 17th-ranked Vanderbilt and No. 37 Brigham Young University. Six victories have come by shut out.

“We always approach every match the same way: We want to win every match,” Kostin said.

So despite some early season losses, it has been more of the same for VCU Rams tennis: winning, tough scheduling and playing consistently.

With that in mind, Kostin made it clear what the goals and expectations are for the rest of the season.

“When it comes to the end of the season, it’s the conference tournament,” he said. “But I think the key is getting into the NCAA tournament and doing well there. You always have to set goals, and our main goal is the NCAA tournament.”