Westmont Men’s Tennis will have to wait a bit longer to learn who their first opponent will be in the NAIA Men’s Tennis National Tournament being played in Mobile, Alabama. Thunderstorms forced the suspension of first round matches on Tuesday afternoon. The incomplete matches will be resumed at 7:45 a.m. on Wednesday, assuming the weather cooperates.
Tenth-ranked Graceland (Iowa) and Sioux Falls (S.D.) will pick-up their match with the resumption of six singles matches. Graceland currently holds a 3-0 lead by virtue of a sweep in the doubles matches. The winner will take on #8 Westmont in a second round match beginning at one o’clock. The Warriors received a first round bye.
Westmont, which prepared for tomorrow’s match with a morning practice session at Medal of Honor Park on Tuesday, is looking forward to its first match.
“The guys are pretty relaxed and I have a feeling they are eager to play,” said Westmont Head Coach Mark Basham. “It has been fun to spend more time with the guys this week. It is really good for building a sense of family. The guys get along well and there is definitely a sense of unity on the team.”
The return of the Warriors to national championship play fulfills a season-long goal for players and coaches alike.
“After last year when I didn’t play the whole season last year, it feels good to be back on the court playing and finishing my senior year by playing at nationals,” said Diego Almeida.
“In my first year at Westmont, it was definitely one of my biggest goals to make nationals and take the team to Mobile,” said Basham. “I am thankful to be here and to be given this opportunity for our team.”
But Almeida, who transferred to Westmont after his sophomore season, is looking to do more than just play in the national championship.
“Our goal is to be in the final on Saturday,” said Almeida, who transferred to Westmont from Ventura College after his sophomore year. “We try to be focused and stay together as a team. When we are not on the courts, we hang out together and get ready for tomorrow.
“Winning the state championship was the best feeling of my tennis career,” continued Almeida who helped Ventura win the junior college state championship. “You play and practice hard the whole season and it is for this. It is the most important tournament of the season so you want to play your best.”
When the Warriors finally take the court tomorrow afternoon, the match will begin with doubles play, which suits Coach Basham just fine.
“In our last couple of matches, we unfortunately had to play singles first, which made it difficult for us,” said Basham. “It is definitely encouraging for us to start with doubles because we are probably slightly stronger as a team in doubles. Our team energy comes to the forefront in doubles.”
The only first round match to be decided was Point Loma Nazarene’s victory over host Mobile. The Sea Lions held a 6-0 lead when play was suspended, enough to secure the win. Point Loma Nazarene will take on #7 Oklahoma Christian in the second round tomorrow.
