Clayton Koff

Staff Writer

With Nationals around the corner, tension is heating up for tennis players and coaches. Everyone wants to qualify for the tournament, but only a few actually can.

This tournament is what fuels most collegiate tennis players throughout the season and keeps them coming back for more year after year.

Mark Rodel has been the head coach for the men’s tennis team for the last three seasons. He said that he wants to give his players the tools to excel, which can help them get to the national tournament if his players qualify.

“I have been head coach for the last three years and the number one thing I want my players to leave with is a professional mindset,” Rodel said. “So, they can succeed professionally, academically and socially.”

Exercise science major and lifelong tennis player Peter Trhac has already been affected by Rodel’s philosophy.

In middle school, he played tennis three times a week and when he got to high school, he was playing every single day. But he soon decided it was time to take a break from the sport he loved to play.

“I’ve played for so long I’ve grown to love it,” Trhac said. “I did take a break from it back in high school, but I came back to it because I have done it for so long it became a part of me.”

Trhac has played tennis since he was eight years old, which is a direct influence from his dad who also played tennis. He said that he continues to this day because it has become a part of him.

Trhac grew up in San Diego where he remained the majority of his life. He loves the beach because it is where he can do the other thing he loves: surfing.

Before coming to ISU, he attended Palomar Community College for two years where he studied exercise science and has continued to do so ever since. Receiving a scholarship from Idaho State is what sparked his decision to come to Pocatello.

While at Palomar, Trhac was named the 2017 Region I ITA Most Improved Sophomore of the Year where he helped the Comets to a 13-6 overall record and a 10-2 conference record, good for second in the PCAC.

“My goals are to qualify for doubles if we can, and win as many games as possible,” Trhac said. “Outside of tennis though I want to focus on graduating college and getting a career that I want.”