The Simpson College men’s tennis team saw its first and only action for the fall season on Friday, Sept. 22 and Saturday, Sept. 23, for the A-R-C Men’s Tennis Individual Tournament in Pella. 

The team’s roster has four players: junior Drake Downard, freshman Carter Hexamer, sophomore Grant Love and sophomore Javier Robles Solis.

The weather was not in the tournament’s favor, forcing them to move indoors due to rain. Players had to adjust to playing four games in a set instead of six in individuals and playing on a different surface.

“The tournament was not organized at all,” Love said. “When we got there, it started to rain, and they didn’t have a backup plan, so they moved the tournament to the indoor courts, which aren’t made for tennis.”

Robles Solis, Downward and Love picked up wins in their opening matches for single flights.

Head Coach Matt Price said, “I think one [of the accomplishments] was Javi, who will be the top player on the team. He won a singles match in the top flight. That was a big highlight because he beat a fairly high-rated player in the tournament.”

Price also said Downward and Love competed well, and Hexamer played hard.

The team practiced for three weeks leading up to the tournament. Due to being short handed, the team isn’t playing in another match this season and will start their spring season in January, with tournaments beginning in February and lasting until April. 

Robles Salis said his goals for the spring season are to improve his doubles record and to be one of the best players in the conference for singles. He also said the team wants to try and make it to the conference tournament.

The team will focus on individual and team development in the spring. They will work on drill work and cleaning up their game to be more consistent and competitive.

Price said, “I always go by if you’re showing up to practice to make your teammates better, you’re going to make yourself better.”

One of the challenges the team faces is playing against the same people in practice and not looking at their competition. Price said he would like the team to look at the competition they are playing and make sure they can adjust during the matches against different game styles.

Another challenge the team has is the need for more players.

Love said, “[We’re still looking for] anyone who’s open to play and work hard and devote themselves to the game. That’s been our challenge lately, trying to find people who don’t already play a sport, who want to play tennis.”

 Price is hoping to add four or five freshmen to the program, and, with no seniors on the team, they aren’t losing anyone next year.

 “I think the program’s heading in the right direction,” Price said. “The guys are great. They’re competitive, they work hard, and if they keep that up, we’ll be fine.”