AUM’s tennis teams recently approached the beginning of a new season. The 2018 season will be an exciting and competitive one for both the men and women’s teams. Yair Banuelos is the head coach for both teams. His goal is to prepare the men and women physically and mentally in order to be successful among other teams. “Fitness is going to be important for the long battles that we will have against top teams,” says Coach Banuelos. He believes the AUM tennis program has the talent to upset and win against higher rank schools.
Both the men and women tennis programs have returning players. Three males will rejoin the men’s team, and one female will return to the women’s. Coach Banuelos says his expectations are higher for the returning player because he knows their capabilities and experiences, but this does not mean his expectations are not high for the new players. “They are talented and ready to compete,” he says.
Coach Banuelos hopes to maintain or even improve AUM’s tennis rankings in the Gulf Coast Conference. Both the men and women’s programs finished the 2017 season in the top 20 of the division two of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association. Last year was AUM’s first year in the NCAA, so ranking within the top 20 is exceptional.
AUM’s tennis program is ready to face some of the nation’s top teams. “Fans can expect a very competitive tennis program this year,” says the coach. He invites all students, faculty, and staff to come watch and support all home matches.
By Marley Jacobs