April 18, 2006
SPORTSThunderbird tennis teams head in opposite direction
It has been an unusual year for the Lady T-Birds tennis team.
In 32 years with Penny Powell at the helm coaching the women, the team had never experienced a losing season until the 2006 season. The team has a mere 4-8 record in the ACCAC and is 7-10 overall.
Even though the team is made up of mostly freshmen, Powell is surprised with the team’s struggles.
“I didn’t anticipate other teams being so strong. Eastern (Arizona College) finished second this year and we had never lost to them before,” Powell said.
The conference as a whole has been dominated by Scottsdale Community College, who had a perfect 12-0 record for the 2006 regular season.
Powell commented that it’s “humbling” to have a season like this but added that “you know it’s going to happen eventually.”
She said the bad record has not stopped the women’s effort saying “it’s not a lack of dedication” and “they are a lot of fun, they are great kids and they’re working hard.”
The team spent the end of their season preparing for the regional tournament with the hopes of advancing to the national tournament.
“The regional tournament is a brand new season for us,” Powell said, “if we play to our potential we will surprise some people.”
MCC will look to its top-two players to guide them through the tournament.
Freshman Brittany Guerrero, who is the team’s top performer, will team with another freshman, Morgan Weatherby, to play as MCC’s No. 1 doubles teams.
It will be a chance for the women to try to earn a spot in the national tournament and salvage part of the 2006 season.Men’s Tennis
On the other side of the net, the MCC men’s tennis team is having a successful season and has great momentum heading into their regional tournament.
The Thunderbirds are sitting pretty with an overall record of 13-4, while going 7-3 in their conference.
Head coach Becky Opoien, who is entering her eighth year with the team, is pleased with this year’s team stating it’s “one of the strongest and youngest teams, I’ve coached.”
The youth that Opoien is referring to is the seven freshmen on the team. They are led by standout-freshman Greg Peck.
Peck is the Thunderbird’s No. 1 seed and will be seeded No. 2 in the regional tournament.
Additionally, he and his doubles partner Bryce Silva will also be seeded No. 2 in the tournament.
Opoien is confident that her team will leave their mark on the regional tournament and advance to the national tournament, which is located in Plano, Texas.
“We have a strong chance of wining and we are pretty much a shoo in for nationals,” Opoien said.
Although Opoien and the team are confident and prepared for nationals, they are still trying to keep their goals realistic.
“Finishing in the top ten, would be our main goal,” she added.
The national tournament is May 14-19.