Just as the weather is getting warmer and the trees are starting to show off a glimpse of the fast approaching season of spring, the Urbana High School boys’ tennis team is also on the go for starting the 2011 season. The UHS boys’ tennis team is starting of their season with a blast. So far, their focus has been on improving; conditioning, footwork, and technique.
Thus far, the team has covered the essentials to hitting every shot in tennis. “We are currently implementing challenge matches and giving the guys increased opportunities to earn a varsity spot,” said UHS Boys’ Tennis Coach, Nathaniel Chattic.
Although it’s still early off in the season, the team has their goals and ambitions to work on for the benefits of the team as a whole. “Our goals are simply to have fun, get some wins under our belt, and get some boys to state,” said Senior Captain, Nabeel Rizwan.
Chattic says that the major aspect he is looking forward to the most in the upcoming season is being able to see how the guys respond to playing in new positions that they may not have played before. “I am looking forward to seeing our seniors step up and lead their team, setting a good example for their teammates to follow,” said Chattic.
“I am looking forward to seeing how we compete with a few teams that have stayed consistently steady over the past few years like Centennial, Central, and Danville,” he said.
Having said that, there is no denying that this year’s season will be somewhat different from the previous one. “Last season our varsity team was comprised of four seniors, and when they graduated, they left some gaps that many of our younger guys will need to fill for this season,” said Chattic.
“That being said, our level of talent is pretty balanced, and I have seen many good things coming from our group of freshman and sophomores.” Chattic says that with the help of the “seasoned” players, he is looking forward to seeing a lot of his guys step up to the challenge of playing at the varsity level.
Junior, Charlie Zheng agrees that this season will be more intense than the last one. “Last season, we were really relaxed, there wasn’t a lot of pressure,” said Zheng. “We didn’t do much last season; I think it’s also because it was our coach’s first year as a head coach last season, so he was just getting the hang of it, but now, we’re definitely doing more training.”
As for the team’s prominent goal, they want to finish with a winning record. “Last season, our team finished 2-8 in conference play overall, and I have been challenging our seniors this year to put in more work in the off season to improve that finish this year,” said Chattic. “So far, I feel that many are on board, and want to do better than last year.”
But individually, Rizwan would like make it to state. At the same time, he would also like to help other players improve for next season. He says that the best part of tennis is all the guys and coaches coming together and working together. “The guys make a lot of jokes which is great and the coaches get us back on track to tennis,” said Rizwan.
There’s no doubt that there is certainly a lot to love about tennis. Chattic, most especially loves being the head coach of UHS’ boys tennis team. “I like coaching a sport that I am very passionate about and helping these young men get better at it, or introduce it for the first time to those that have never played before,” said Chattic. “I like to see improvement and learning happening, and it starts in our practices.”
He says that so far, he has seen much learning and desire to become better. “My hope is that the intensity that these young men have shown in practice is present and grows when they play on the courts in April.”
