For the first time since 2013, the Lipscomb men’s tennis team will compete in the Atlantic-Sun quarterfinals Friday in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
“The conference season started slow but has finished well with two conference wins at the end,” said Coach Mario Hernandez. “I am proud of how the guys stayed mentally tough when we were struggling at the start of the conference.”
Hernandez said he hopes the Bisons will continue their two match conference winning streak as they go into the championship as the No. 5 seed.
“As long as individually we do what we need to do and play within ourselves we will be fine,” said senior John Tougher. “We must stay together from the first to the last ball and bring a lot of energy.”
The Lipscomb men’s team will play against the hosts USC Upstate on Friday at 8 a.m. where the winners will take on top-seed FGCU.
“We have played a very hard schedule and have learned a lot this year,” Tougher said. “We will use the tough matches to push through the last portion of conference strong.”
The Spartans have beaten the Bisons on their last five meets, including a 6-1 defeat at home in Nashville. However, the team has seen improvements in the last couple of weeks and Hernandez said he hopes they take the momentum into this weekend.
“I expect the guys to be excited and to fight extremely hard tomorrow,” Hernandez said. “These opportunities don’t come around everyday, so you have to be prepared to take your opportunities when they come.”
On top of a successful season, the Bisons made All-Conference first and second teams with junior Rob Mitchell picking up an award at the No. 1 spot and sophomore Alejandro Manzanares at the No. 2 position.
“Rob and Alejandro bring consistency in how they perform,” Hernandez said. “The fact that they do it at the top of the lineup against the best players is impressive.”
Photo courtesy of Lipscomb Athletics