After an outstanding performance at the Bradley Invitational, described by head coach Jonathan Zych as the team’s “best showing ever,” men’s tennis hopes to continue its success in this weekend’s Billiken Classic.
Zych recruited five new players to the roster this year in hopes of improving the team. He said juniors Ken Nordhein and James McCarthur, who play No. 1 and No. 2, have been a huge addition. As a whole, this year’s team is the most physical that Zych has coached at Saint Louis University.
“They are great athletes who work hard in the weight room and at practice, and it shows on the court,” Zych said. “We’ve been pushing them hard.”
Senior Matt Gordon is excited about the new team’s potential.
“Our team has good chemistry, which sets us apart,” Gordon said. “It’s really beyond my expectations. We have great additions. All five of the new guys gel well with the rest of the team.”
At the Bradley Invitational, hosted in Peoria, Ill., the Billikens showed their potential, posting undefeated records in Flight 5 and Flight 7 singles as well as Flight 1 and Flight 2 doubles Sept. 19-21.
“The performance was by far the strongest we’ve ever had at this tournament,” Zych said. “It was an impressive and exciting way to begin the season.”
Senior Adam Reed said the team’s strength lies in its doubles.
“Our top three doubles teams went 11-1 at Bradley, which was the best of any school,” Reed said. “We hope to do real well at the home tournament.”
The Billiken Classic is a weekend tournament with competitors from the St. Louis area as well as teams from the broader Missouri and Illinois areas.
“I expect the competition will be very good,” junior Sean McManus said about the team’s home tourney. “We have a really good chance of winning a lot of matches.”
Rather than focusing on key match-ups during the classic, Zych says the team is focusing on playing aggressively to win at every position. McManus said the team will try different combinations in order to find the strongest lineup.
The Billiken Classic is different from spring tournaments in that matches are between schools, whereas in the fall match-ups are between individual athletes.
Matches for the Billiken Classic will be played at Mary Institute and County Day School’s (MICDS) tennis complex, approximately 15 minutes from SLU’s campus. It will begin on Friday, Oct. 3, and conclude on Sunday, Oct. 5.
