Junior Lewis Cooper returns to the men's tennis team as a co-captain after playing on the Greyhounds' soccer team last fall.

February 25, 2014

Men’s Tennis Looks to Build on Experience From Fall

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – With a predominantly underclassman roster, the Moravian College men’s tennis team focused on racking up experience and court time during the fall portion of the 2013-14 season.

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – With a predominantly underclassman roster, the Moravian College men's tennis team focused on racking up experience and court time during the fall portion of the 2013-14 season.

Now, the focus turns to transforming that experience to wins as the spring season intensifies.

"They were good in the fall, but I think they're ready to take another step now that they're used to what we're doing," said third-year head coach Art Smith. "I think we're becoming more of a team. This group is made up of hard workers. They show up to practice on time, they set everything up and they practice hard from the start to the finish."

The Greyhounds went 1-1 during the fall dual match slate, and also competed at the non-team scoring Muhlenberg College Fall Classic and The University of Scranton Invitational.

One big difference this spring is the return of junior captain Lewis Cooper, the team's only upperclassman. Cooper only picks up the racquet in the spring after playing central defense on the Moravian College men's soccer team.

Cooper went 8-8 in singles play in the spring of 2013, closing out the year on a hot streak by winning his final three matches. He also posted a 10-5 record playing at the second doubles spot, and was selected to the Landmark All-Conference Second Team in doubles for that effort.

"Coop is a very good athlete," Smith said. "He's able to push some of our freshman, and with him back in the singles lineup, the younger guys can get better experience by playing at the singles matches that are more comfortable for them. He's a very good influence on the team. He's a hard worker and the veteran on the squad. He's also a calming influence and a good leader when we need one."

Also returning to singles action are sophomores John Wylie and Matt Tuorto, who will be the favorites to occupy the first and second singles positions. Wylie went 2-2 overall during the fall, including a 1-1 mark at No. 1 singles in dual matches, while Tuorto went 4-3 overall. The classmates also teamed up for a 1-1 record at first doubles in dual matches during the fall after being named to the Landmark All-Conference Second Team last season.

Tuorto joins Cooper as a co-captain of this year's team.

Freshmen Mike Antonis, Giovanni Lombardi and Dan Schmucker all picked up two wins in singles action to start their collegiate careers during the first portion of their rookie seasons. Sophomore C.J. Widdifield also notched two wins in the fall and will factor into doubles competitions this spring, as well as challenge for a singles spot.

The Greyhounds were selected to finish third in a wide-open 2014 Landmark Conference Coaches Preseason Poll. Four different teams received at least one first place vote, and two of those were ranked behind Moravian. Looking past the numbers on paper, Smith knows that Landmark Conference play will always bring a significant challenge, one that his team is ready to take on.

"The Landmark Conference always has very good competition," Smith said. "Drew and Scranton always bring good players and Goucher is much improved bringing back the Rookie of the Year. Juniata and Catholic are also very good. It's good for our team because it will teach us that we can never take a day off; you have to bring your best every match to win in this conference."

The Moravian men open the spring season with a non-conference match at Baptist Bible College on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 4 p.m. The Greyhounds then escape the doldrums of a waning winter with a four-match stint in Orlando, Florida. Smith's squad plays four quality Division III schools on consecutive days March 3-6.

"The main objective is to get some outdoor time and to play some quality opponents," Smith said of the Spring Break trip. "We will be exposed to very good singles and doubles matches. The other thing that happens in Florida is staying in the same place so far from home. That's always good to get a team close knit off the court, which will help us on the court."

The first home match at the Hoffman Courts is scheduled for Saturday, March 15 at 1 p.m. against Goucher College, the first Landmark Conference match of the year.