JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – The Eagles men's tennis team closes out their fall season on Friday and Saturday, hosting Converse University for a pair of dual matches.
With the UTR Collegiate Circuit being cancelled, the Eagles have had some time to prepare for the final event of the fall season. Junior Paul Gayk believes C-N has used the time off to its advantage by playing competitively in practice.
"We had some great practices," Gayk said. "The energy in practices the last couple of weeks has been pretty good… We've tried to make up the missing matches with practice matches and some sets in singles and doubles."
Playing well throughout the fall season, Gayk feels like it has prepared him and his team well for the competitive spring season.
"We did well doing the little things," Gayk said. "Doing well in the gym, practicing well and having good energy."
With the mix of youth and experience, Gayk knows the dynamic has been different between this year and last, but he's taken on the challenge in full stride throughout the season and into the last event.
"It's been different," Gayk said. "Last year we only had two newcomers, and this year it's kind of different. The first two weeks, we really tried to connect with the freshmen, and now we're one big team. We're having fun at practice and we're working hard, so it's been good."
With a new leadership role being one of the older players on the team, Gayk has embraced the new role along with the other experienced players, helping guide the freshman along in the fall season.
"It's been nice," Gayk said. "The freshmen have a lot of energy… They're wanting to get better and they've definitely put us on our heels in practice. It's been really good leading and working with them."
For Gayk personally, he has been focusing on his doubles play and hopes to end his doubles play in the fall season on a high note in the two-day Eagle Invitational.
"I've been especially focusing on my doubles," Gayk said. "Trying to get more consistent and a little more aggressive in doubles, and I think we've been doing a pretty good job doing that in practice."
The Eagles welcome in a Valkyries squad who won eight matches in the 2023-24 season.
C-N will face off with Converse on Friday at 3:30 and Saturday at noon in Jefferson City.
For updates on the Eagle Invitational and the upcoming spring slate, visit cneagles.com and follow us on social media @cn_eagles.
