MOUNT VERNON – If the Mount Vernon Nazarene University men’s and women’s tennis teams are to repeat last year’s historic results, they’ll have to do so while battling health issues.
Two players on the men’s team missed matches last week due to COVID protocols. The No. 1 women’s player hasn’t played all season due to concussion. And earlier this week, head coach Alvin Cheng entered quarantine due to COVID.
“I’m trying to get the teams in order from here,” Cheng told the News from his home. “We’ll get through this.”
Last season, both the men’s and women’s teams qualified for the Crossroads League tournament – a first since the program was re-established four years ago. Although both teams lost talented seniors to graduation, Cheng is confident they can build on last year’s success.
“We were good last year. We lost some players near the bottom and gained some good players,” Cheng said. “I’ve coached long enough to know what will work. We can build on how far we came last year.”
Danny Mayotte, a four-year star for the Cougars, graduated. His role will be filled by graduate student Logan Gauthier and senior Justin Haggard. Andrew Hare and Carter Jones join the team as freshmen. Hare and Gauthier have already formed a formidable duo, with the pair earning the team’s only victory in doubles action against Goshen last week. Jones and sophomore Austin Faucett were the lone winners in singles matches against Otterbein.
“I’m really glad Logan is back,” Cheng said. “And Justin has stepped it up big time. They’re both playing with a lot of energy this year.”
The large roster on the women’s team is highlighted by two groups: an intelligent trio of seniors (Casey Clark, Laurel Sidle and Sarah Young) and a talented group of freshmen (Audrey Cochran, Meredith Fitch, Lilian Volk, Megan Vollrath and Kiersten Winey).
“We lost a senior (Ashley Weber) who really helped build our culture,” Cheng said. “However, it’s a good thing, because we now have three seniors that are building that culture for the whole team.
“You’d think that, with all those seniors and those freshmen, there would be a divide in the team. But there isn’t. They’ve jelled very well together as a team.”
Hailey Clayborn, a junior, has emerged as the current No. 1 singles player while Fitch recovers from concussion. Cochran has also emerged as a top player, winning several matches in singles and in doubles already this season.
The 2021-22 season did not start on a positive note for the men’s team. Currently, the Cougars are 0-4 after narrowly dropping the home opener to Bethel, 4-3, then falling to Spring Arbor, Goshen and Otterbein.
The women’s team has had more success. MVNU began with a home rout over Bethel, 6-1, then lost to Spring Arbor and The College of Wooster. The Cougars swept last week’s match at Goshen, 7-0, before losing to Otterbein on Saturday.
“I’m just glad we’re out there,” Cheng said. “You never really know what you’re going to get, year by year. But we’re playing and we’re looking to return to the league tournament.”
