TACOMA, Wash. - The third time is the charm for the Pacific Lutheran University men's tennis team. After having its first two home matches wiped out due to inclement weather, the Lutes will finally have a chance to play a home dual, hosting Whitworth University and Bellevue College over the weekend at the Sprinker Recreation Center. The Lutes play Whitworth at 6 p.m. on Saturday evening before hosting Bellevue at 10 a.m. on Sunday.
The Lutes (2-1) had their match against Whitworth last weekend pushed to this coming Saturday before getting tripped up 9-0 by nationally-ranked Pacific University for the team's first setback of the season.
The Lutes have shifted their focus towards this weekend's matchups.
"This weekend will be a great test for us. Being predicted to be seventh in conference by the coaches poll didn't satisfy us and we have made it a team goal to make the top four this year to make the playoffs and show that the coaches poll can be wrong," said senior Justin deMattos. "Whitworth is a great matchup for us and we hope to prove that we have what it takes to move ahead of them in conference standings."
deMattos is a physics major hailing from Shelton, Washington and the lone senior on this years team. He is also a captain for the Lutes.
"I try the best I can to be a role model for the guys on and off the court. As captain, I try to do the best I can to support my team and teammates and provide tips or advice whenever needed. Honestly though, we are all giving each other advice on the court and everyone is supportive of each other. Last weekend at Pacific, we took turns being coaches for each other providing the positive support and feedback that everyone needs. It isn't just one person's job to be captain. I think everyone, at some point, has been a captain on this team and stepped up as a leader."
This year's team is a young squad with freshman taking up five of the nine roster spots. The only returners besides deMattos are Jake Kim, Branson Near, and Alex Richter who are all sophomores. Coach John Campbell took over at the helm for the Lute men's tennis team at the beginning of the 2018-2019 academic year and brings a wealth of experience to the young squad.
"Everyone has put in a lot of work for this season.", continued deMattos "Practices have been better than ever and everyone is working hard to reach that goal of making the top four. Personally, I have been working on enjoying my last moments as a Lute on the court and trying to make every match competitive and just leave it all out there during the match. I want to feel good about every match I play this year and I think everyone on the team feels the same about their own games as well."
