HARTSVILLE, S.C. – Over the last few years there's no debate that Coker College men's tennis has been one of the most successful teams on Coker's campus. A resume that includes a regular season conference championship during the 2013 season, as well as both team and individual national and regional rankings has made the Cobra men's tennis team very successful. But first-year head coach Bill Simpson and his 2015 roster believe this could be a storybook season.
"Our goal is to definitely win the regular season conference title, win the conference tournament, and I really see us doing well in regionals," said Simpson. "The talent and athleticism is there, a lot of it depends on the maturation of our freshman and how well they are able to get into the swing of things."
Those goals and aspirations will be nothing new a couple upperclassmen on the roster. Preseason All-SAC first team singles selection Tom Sizeland and preseason All-SAC second team singles selection William Marrafao were members of that 2013 regular season conference championship team.
"I expect Marrafao to have a big year, he is really starting to put everything together and that's really exciting for us," said Simpson. "Marrafao, Sizeland, Zach Grooms and junior transfer Alex Arkin are a couple of guys that we will rely heavily on to carry this team to new heights."
It is going to take more than those three for this team to contend. Dominic Allan, Simon Bergbom, Felix Schweyer and Mark Watt are the four freshmen that make up the rest of this roster and their impact and growth will be equally as important for continued success for Coker men's tennis.
"The four freshmen are going to be asked to step in and not only play, but make an impact right away," said Simpson. "I expect big things from each of them and I am excited to see them grow and get better each day."
The wealth of youth is something that Simpson is not unfamiliar with. He served as the assistant coach during the conference title season. That team saw a starting lineup of four freshmen, a sophomore and a junior. So on paper the similarities are clear, but Simpson said this team does a few things that could make it one of his best.
"As a whole their ball striking is great, which could give the teams in our conference some trouble," said Simpson. "This is probably the best team comradery and brotherhood I have ever seen by any team I have coached or played on."
Last season was Coker's first in the South Atlantic Conference and it resulted in a 9-2 conference record and trip to the conference tournament semifinals. The Cobras will look to build off a successful inaugural campaign and take a big leap during the 2015 season. They will begin the season ranked No. 7 in the SAC preseason men's tennis rankings. Tusculum College and Wingate University are ranked one and two, respectively.
"Wingate is always going to be there, they have a history of playing well during the regular season as well as in the postseason," said Simpson.
That big leap to reach new heights and rankings will fall upon the responsibility of all eight players to improve every day at practice.
"Tennis is an individual sport with team opportunities, and we all have to step up our game in the areas that need improvement," said Simpson. "The talent is there we just have to keep working together to reach that one common goal of bring home championships."
Coker men's tennis will take the court on Sunday (Feb. 1) as they travel to Lander University to kick off the 2015 spring season. First serve is set for 1 p.m.
Story by Aaron Beebe '15 sports information department intern