VIDEO: Marnix Van Dalen Interview
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – The Eagles men's tennis team prepares to kick off their fall season at the LMU Invitational on Saturday, looking to build on the successes from a season ago.
C-N is coming off an impressive 13-6 season, posting a 10-2 record in SAC play. Marnix Van Dalen, one of the Eagles' main contributors in his time in Mossy Creek, decided to return for his final year of eligibility.
"I've grown attached to this place," Van Dalen said. "I've also developed a relationship with coach Parker, so those factors played a role in my decision to return."
Coming into the new season, Van Dalen is excited about the mix of familiar and new faces joining C-N in 2024.
"I can recognize myself in some of the new guys," Van Dalen said. "The first year you're here as a freshman, you're extra motivated… You have a lot to prove to yourself and your teammates, so I can feel that the newcomers are very hungry. Having guys like Matt [Saunders], Paul [Gayk], and Gjorgji [Jankulovski] back is great for the team. They played a crucial role in the success we had last year, so I'm glad to have them back."
Van Dalen is coming off a season in which he won 17 matches in singles and added another 13 in doubles, leading to a pair of all-conference selections. Looking to finish his C-N career on a high note, Van Dalen aims to use the fall season to fine-tune his body and parts of his game.
"The fall season is a good opportunity to get in shape and figure out who is playing where," Van Dalen said. "Getting back in shape is very important, especially for the returners. After playing so many matches in the spring, you have to use the summer break as a true break. Then you're back with a fresh look in the fall."
With a slew of freshmen joining the Eagles this season, Van Dalen knows the newcomers will have to adjust to the ins and outs of college tennis quickly, but he also knows he can impart the lessons he has learned to them.
"After the first couple of tournaments, the ins and outs of playing matches will be very clear," Van Dalen said. "Be loud during the matches, support your teammates, both very important… Work hard on and off the court, but don't do too much… Sometimes, it is easy to overtrain yourself, and sometimes taking a step back and relaxing is also important."
The Eagles mix of youth and experience will face its first test on Saturday in Harrogate, Tennessee, at the LMU Invitational.
