By Cody McGill

With the men’s team now ranked No. 2 and the women’s team ranked No. 7, Tennessee Wesleyan University’s (TWU) tennis teams are making noise on the national scene. The men’s team, which placed second nationally the previous year, is still unbeaten this season and is focused on winning the national championship in May, which would be the only trophy they have yet to acquire. The women’s team, which also qualified for nationals, is concentrating on raising their ranking, winning the conference and tournament, and performing better.

Both sides stress the need for cooperation and support, particularly in difficult games. The team’s strong bond and the enthusiasm of the audience kept them going during the difficult battle against the Union Commonwealth. The women’s squad also celebrated Senior Day, which was a heartfelt occasion for the players, who were encouraged by the enthusiastic support of the fans.

The newly built tennis facility has been a “dream come true,” according to Agustin Gaia. It is expected to significantly improve team performance and dynamics. The players believe that their training and sense of teamwork will be enhanced by the new facilities.

Cultural ties have a significant impact on team dynamics. The majority of the men’s team’s players are from Argentina and Spain; therefore, communication is simple because almost all of them speak Spanish; only two players speak English as their first language. Although they have a close cultural bond as well, the women’s team actively assists Spanish-speaking teammates in learning English. Both teams have discovered a friendly and encouraging atmosphere at TWU, where instructors, fellow students, and teammates help overseas students adjust.

The players’ future objectives are well defined. In addition to graduating and continuing to pass his classes, one member of the men’s squad aspires to win the national title. The goals of a female athlete are to graduate, play more, win the conference tournament, and get her degree. Both teams have a strong sense of teamwork and are prepared to succeed both on and off the court throughout the remainder of their season.

Interview by Lucia Bonfante
Produced by Nick Collins
Video by Jordan Smith
Audio by Jaci Powell