This Saturday will mark the start of the regular season for the UW men’s tennis season as they host Eastern Washington at 3 p.m. It will be the 24th season opener for head coach Matt Anger at Washington.
He can hardly wait for the season to start.
“It can’t get here soon enough,” Anger said. “We’ve been working hard, guys have been making progress, and we’re eager to get started.”
Anger also knows that it is important to keep his team focused on the Eagles and pace themselves for the whole season ahead.
“I’ll definitely be giving them advice to not try to win the whole season in the first swing,” Anger said. “We gotta just go one point at a time and one day at a time.”
Seniors Jake Douglas and Mitch Stewart are looking forward to their final season as Huskies, but understand the emotions of it all.
“It’s kind of bittersweet,” Douglas said. “But it hasn’t become bitter yet.”
Stewart found it hard to believe that this moment is finally here.
“It’s exciting, but at the same time a little nostalgic,” Stewart said. “I remember being a freshman, I didn’t think it would ever end and now I’m a season away from being out of here.”
While Stewart and Douglas are among those playing in their last home opener, along with Joao Barra, two other Huskies, Alexis Alvarez and Jack Davis, are gearing up for their first action.
The two freshmen earned high praise from the older players.
“The guys we brought in as freshmen like Jack and Alexis couldn’t be any better,” Stewart said.
The newcomers have also drawn the interest of the coaching staff.
“They’re doing a very good job,” Anger said. “They are a part of the team already, they’ve got a good spirit and they are progressing and working on things.”
It will be interesting to see how quickly Alvarez and Davis adjust to game action at the college level.
The team worked to improve during the fall, and one area they really focused on as a team was stamina.
“My fitness has probably improved the most. I’m in probably the best shape I’ve been in,” Douglas said. “That’s our one goal this year as a team: we’re not going to lose because of our fitness.”
Reach reporter Kyle Gehler at sports@dailyuw.com. Twitter: @KyleGehler
