SAINT PETER, Minn. – Nearly a full calendar year since its last competition, the Gustavus men’s tennis team opens the 2021 season Friday afternoon at home against St. Olaf. Last season was cut short due to the pandemic with the Gusties holding a 9-2 overall record and 4-0 mark in the MIAC. The Gusties finished last year rated No. 13 in the ITA Division III National Team Rankings, while this season’s rankings have yet to be released.
Today’s match begins at 4:30 p.m. from the Swanson Tennis Center with all six courts live streamed.
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“The guys are obviously very excited to compete,” said Head Coach Tommy Valentini, who is in his 12th season at the helm. “We were fortunate to be able to practice some during the fall, and we’ve been at it for almost a month here this spring, so we are very much looking forward to sharing the court with some other teams. We’re looking forward to the feelings and challenges of dual matches. It’s been a long time, almost a full year for us, and we really are so grateful just to be able to be together as a group and to grow as much as we can through all of this. Playing matches is such a huge part of what makes the college tennis experience so special, and it will be great for this group to embrace everything that comes with match day.”
The 2021 roster is comprised of 21 student-athletes, including three seniors – Mouaad Alhouni (Tripoli, Libya), Lawrence Hiquiana (Downers, Grove, Ill.), and Xavier Sanga (Madison, Wis.). The Gusties also return two All-Americans in Daniel Fouchier (So., Nootdorp, Netherland) and Indraneel Raut (Jr., Oshkosh, Wis.). Fouchier earned All-America status at the 2019 ITA Midwest Regional by winning the doubles draw with partner Michael O’Neil, while Raut was the runner-up in the singles draw.
Coach Valentini welcomes three first-years to the team with the bulk of the squad featuring sophomores and juniors.
“Truthfully, the way this team has operated since the start of the year has been remarkable,” Valentini said. “They have sacrificed a great deal and showed so much resilience just to have the opportunity to practice together and now to compete. Their courage, toughness, togetherness, and gratitude through all of this uncertainty has been most exciting. On the court, we bring back a lot of experience from last year’s team, but everyone is really moving into new and expanded roles in terms of our singles and doubles lineups. They are excited for the challenge, and we’re excited to see them embrace the new roles and opportunities. Our seniors, Mouaad Alhouni, Lawrence Hiquiana, and Xavier Sanga have been tremendous in helping us stay positive and committed.”
This season’s schedule features 15 matches with all but three of them taking place on the Gusties’ home courts. Gustavus is scheduled to play a full slate of conference matches along with six non-conference opponents. MIAC playoffs take place May 4-8.
“We would certainly love the ability to fly and stay in hotels,” Valentini said. “Missing trips to Florida and California and events like ITA National Team Indoors and the Stag-Hen have been challenging for our group, but we clearly understand the circumstances and are moving forward with a lot of excitement. The guys have been great at focusing on what we can control and choosing to be grateful for any competition at all this year. And yes, it’s always nice to be at home and to play in our facility, we’ll choose to view that from the positive perspective and certainly make the most of it!
“We want to thank all of the administrators, trainers, and staff who have worked tirelessly to help us get to this point. It has been a long and difficult year. We realize how much has gone into us having the opportunity to compete and we beyond grateful.”