Photo by: Omaha Athletics
Omaha Primed For Strong Season
Jan 21, 2022 | Men's Tennis
Nine days later than originally scheduled, Omaha is set to open its season in Arkansas Friday.
The Mavericks were to face the Razorbacks on Jan. 12, but COVID-19 protocols forced a postponement.
Omaha coach Matthew Barlow quickly rescheduled the opener. With a deep roster led by veteran returners, he's excited to get the season going, even if it is a little bit later than was originally planned.
"We've got a unique roster makeup this year," Barlow said. "We've got quite a few upperclassmen, but we also have guys that are new and coming in at semester. It makes for an interesting dynamic. You've got guys with a lot of experience, and you've got guys with no experience. We'll see how it plays out."
The Mavericks will be led in the early going by fifth-year player Matt Hulme. The All-Summit League performer was 16-9 in singles matches last spring while also posting a 20-3 mark in doubles play.
"Matt has been a big impact player for us since he's been here," Barlow said. "He's had a national ranking. He's been all-conference. He's really kind of our leader on the court. I'm really excited to see what he's going to bring. I know he's been working really hard in the offseason."
Hulme, named to the Summit League's Athletes to Watch List, has consistently played toward the top of the lineup. Hugo Piles Ballester and Davis Lawley have been in the middle and play doubles together.
"They had a good doubles run this fall," Barlow said. "I'm excited to see what they're going to do."
Omaha has plenty of other returners who will vie for a spot in the lineup this spring alongside a group of newcomers that include Mikhail Korkunov and Todd Chen, who both joined the squad for the spring.
Barlow said he hopes his newcomers are quick learners. He expects them to be tested right away.
After the two matches at Arkansas, the Mavericks will play host to Washburn twice on Jan. 29. They'll then play five consecutive matches away from home as they travel to Colorado and then to Wisconsin to take on Air Force, Idaho, Northern Arizona, Youngstown State and Marquette in early February.
Barlow said he believes in scheduling tough to prepare Omaha for the Summit. It was picked third.
"We're always looking for competitive matches," he said. "We'll schedule anybody. We're not going to back down from scheduling any Power Five schools or anything like that, especially with our roster and the depth that we have. I think we can compete with anybody. That makes it super exciting for us."
The Mavericks were to face the Razorbacks on Jan. 12, but COVID-19 protocols forced a postponement.
Omaha coach Matthew Barlow quickly rescheduled the opener. With a deep roster led by veteran returners, he's excited to get the season going, even if it is a little bit later than was originally planned.
"We've got a unique roster makeup this year," Barlow said. "We've got quite a few upperclassmen, but we also have guys that are new and coming in at semester. It makes for an interesting dynamic. You've got guys with a lot of experience, and you've got guys with no experience. We'll see how it plays out."
The Mavericks will be led in the early going by fifth-year player Matt Hulme. The All-Summit League performer was 16-9 in singles matches last spring while also posting a 20-3 mark in doubles play.
"Matt has been a big impact player for us since he's been here," Barlow said. "He's had a national ranking. He's been all-conference. He's really kind of our leader on the court. I'm really excited to see what he's going to bring. I know he's been working really hard in the offseason."
Hulme, named to the Summit League's Athletes to Watch List, has consistently played toward the top of the lineup. Hugo Piles Ballester and Davis Lawley have been in the middle and play doubles together.
"They had a good doubles run this fall," Barlow said. "I'm excited to see what they're going to do."
Omaha has plenty of other returners who will vie for a spot in the lineup this spring alongside a group of newcomers that include Mikhail Korkunov and Todd Chen, who both joined the squad for the spring.
Barlow said he hopes his newcomers are quick learners. He expects them to be tested right away.
After the two matches at Arkansas, the Mavericks will play host to Washburn twice on Jan. 29. They'll then play five consecutive matches away from home as they travel to Colorado and then to Wisconsin to take on Air Force, Idaho, Northern Arizona, Youngstown State and Marquette in early February.
Barlow said he believes in scheduling tough to prepare Omaha for the Summit. It was picked third.
"We're always looking for competitive matches," he said. "We'll schedule anybody. We're not going to back down from scheduling any Power Five schools or anything like that, especially with our roster and the depth that we have. I think we can compete with anybody. That makes it super exciting for us."
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
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