The Saint Louis University men’s tennis team posted its best record in 12 years last season with 14 wins and seven losses, along with a fourth place finish at the Atlantic 10 Conference Championships. The finish was the team’s highest ever since joining the conference in 2005.
Returning six big-time contributors, including three All-Conference performers, the Bills are poised for another successful season. Unlike some previous years, though, they won’t be sneaking up on anyone when they defeat them.
In the annual preseason poll conducted by the A-10 coaches, the Billikens were picked to finish second, tied with defending champion Xavier. The coaches billed George Washington, the team that defeated SLU in the third place match at the A-10 championships last year, to win the conference.
Despite high expectations, the team isn’t fazed.
“It doesn’t really add pressure. It encourages us. Within team, coaching staff and support, we know we’re a good team, whether it’s published or not. We have confidence in the players’ abilities to take care of business, ” returning All-Conference senior and team co-captain James McArthur said.
The team also returns senior co-captain and All-Conference performer Ken Nordheim, whose 21 singles victories led the team last year; Nordheim ranks as second all-time for a single season in SLU history. Sophomore second team All-Conference selection Jake Hendrie also returns, who was second on the team with 15 victories last season.
For Nordheim, the pressure gives the team an additional boost.
“At this level, pressure can be a good and a bad thing, but I think it is important to embrace the pressure and use it to our advantage. Being picked to finish second shows that people look at us as tough competition. They fear meeting us in the tournament,” Nordheim said.
The team also looks to continue its recent dominance in doubles matches. McArthur and Nordheim went 15-5 in doubles matches last season, contributing to the overall team record of 39-19 in doubles matches. Thus far this season, Nordheim has been paired with freshman Chris Errikson for doubles, and James McArthur with senior P.J. Hendrie.
Another huge component of the Billiken’s success is their overall depth. The six returning players, along with two highly touted freshmen, give the Billikens the ability to hang with anyone in the conference.
“Our depth throughout the lineup sets us apart. We’ve been building on new recruits, and some of the younger guys have been maturing,” McArthur said. “Our depth is really going to tell the tale of how the season goes. We’ve got players up and down the lineup.”
Returning so many players adds another element to the team, perhaps one of the more underrated qualities of success—chemistry.
“Being close on and off the court helps us build our team spirit. Knowing that your teammates are there for you gives you an inner strength,” Nordheim said.
The team got off on the right foot this spring, posting dominating wins over Missouri-St. Louis, Southern Illinois-Edwardsville and Eastern Illinois, with scores of 7-0, 7-0 and 6-1, respectively. The team hopes to continue its winning ways on Feb. 19 when they face off against Western Illinois. With the influx of recruits, strong leadership, depth and experience, the Billiken’s recent trend of success seems here to stay.
“We want to make a statement about Saint Louis Tennis. We’re hoping this is just the start,” McArthur said.
