Idaho State Tennis Season Preview
Despite making significant improvements and coming within one point from returning to the Big Sky Tournament, senior tennis player Charles Norman knows that he can play better and hopes that his improved game will lead to a conference tournament berth.
“We had a good season last year and just need to continue to improve,” he said.
The biggest improvement might come from Norman himself. He didn’t have the type of season that he expects out of himself and is looking to lead this team deep into the Big Sky Tournament.
“For me personally, I didn’t have the year I wanted to have,” said Norman. “We tried to switch up my game plan quite early in the season and it was difficult to adjust but I’m getting better at it and should have a good year.”
Norman hopes to add more volley into his serve and stay away from the baseline.
“Hopefully, I will get a couple of more wins this year,” said Norman.
So far, so good.
The Idaho State men’s tennis team season opener got off to good start. Norman and fellow senior Nate Gross defeated Sven Poslusny and Marcus Fritz 8-4 at the No. 1 doubles.
Freshmen Christian Marian and Jamey Swiggart got their college careers off to a good start with a double wins over Matt Sweet and Sean Levesque at the No. 2 doubles spot.
Marian and Swiggart followed their first doubles win by earning their first singles wins sealing the win against Utah State for the Bengals.
Gross also won his first singles match as he defeated Sweet 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 at the No. 4 spot
Norman is excited about this team and with all players firing on all cylinders he is hoping for a successful run to the Big Sky Conference Tournament.
Each player brings a different element to the tennis team. The way Norman talks about his team shows that he genuinely enjoys playing with these guys. They have the type of brotherhood that one would expect to see on a college team.
“We’ve got a pretty good team this year. We got a new kid from Germany, [Christian Marian] that’s really good,” said Norman. “Christian is new and has a very good game. He’s very good. I’m quite excited to have him on the team.”
Andreas Colleo, a sophomore from Ecuador, brings an unorthodox style of tennis according to Norman.
“He is a clown, he’s interesting to watch,” said Norman.
Senior Nate Gross is one of the more experience players on the tennis team and will be counted on to lead the team. “Nate Gross is a fighter,” said Norman. “He never gives up. He’s the type of player you want on your team.”
Krzysztof Stempien is another experienced Bengal who will be looking to lead this team to a tournament berth.
“He is one of the guys that you want to have on your team rather than against you,” said Norman.
Idaho State will play on the road for the next two matches. They play Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 19, at 5 p.m. and Weber State in Ogden Sunday, Jan. 20, at 10 a.m. They return home on Jan. 25 and face off against the University of Montana.
