Volume 38, Issue 14. Today is
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Volume 38, Issue 14. Today is
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The T-Bird men’s tennis team headed to Texas for nationals
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| Kim Patterson/MESA LEGEND |
| Tom Young (foreground) and doubles partner Ted Yeager have high hopes for a top 10 finish at nationals. |
The MCC men’s tennis team has a first year coach, and five of their six players are freshman, but that didn’t prevent the T-Birds from earning a trip to Tyler, Texas May 6-9 for the NJCAA tournament.
Coach Becky Opoien’s team placed second in the ACCAC, and second in the region tournament, which Glendale Community College won.
MCC’s top player, freshman Ted Yeager, placed second in the region tournament in singles play, and along with Tom Young, placed second in the region tournament in doubles.
"I thought we did pretty good this year," said Yeager, who along with Young, took two year’s off after high school to go on church missions.
"Their was just one team we couldn’t get past."
"I think we can go far in nationals. I have never been before, but I think we have a good chance because we have a strong combination of singles and doubles."
Opoien hopes her team can get through a couple of rounds this year at nationals so that they can gain experience from the event.
"I want them to feel confident," Opoien said.
"It’s a good end to a strong season. This year they will get some exposure and next year I think they will be a serious threat."
The doubles team of Yeager and Young has the best chance to place high at nationals.
"We have a great opportunity to finish in the top 10 in the nation," said Young, who’s sister Brenda played at MCC under Penny Powell five years ago.
"We just need to play consistent, and get prepared for whatever we get.
"Their are going to be good teams. We have got to take our "A" game. There, you don’t get two chances. You lose, and you go home."
Yeager believes it took about three weeks for himself and Young to really start to play well with each other, but when they did, the two connected and started to anticipate the others next move.
"They work well together," Opoien said. "They communicate well, and they play off each others strengths.
Tom has a strong serve, and Ted is a solid volleyer. The combination of both makes them very tough."
Yeager believes that Opoien helped his game a great deal this year.
"She works us like we’re supposed to," Yeager said. "She has done well considering what she was dealt with. She tells you all the little things your not doing which brings your game to another level."
"It was just different having a women as a coach," said Young.
"It’s a different kind of respect. She was the youngest coach I ever had so we were able to have a lot of fun with her this year."
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