By Roscoe Nance
Dr. Robert Screen is not bashful when he talks about his Hampton University tennis teams’ prospect for the upcoming MEAC season.
“This is one of the strongest team’s I’ve had,’’ says Screen, whose 1,025 career wins in 35 years make him No. 1 on the Division I victory list for men and women. “We have two exciting teams with very good players. We’re very strong and talented, and we have good depth. We were the No. 1 team last year. I don’t see why we won’t be again.’’
Hampton’s men’s and women’s team each were 5-0 in conference competition last season, but both were knocked out of the MEAC Tennis Championships as South Carolina State captured both titles.
Screen says he has put the losses in the tournament behind him, but acknowledges that not winning the titles gives his squad added incentive.
“Ten years ago it would have been extremely difficult for me,’’ he says, adding that his career accomplishments, which includes being among the first college coaches to recruit international players, makes losing easier to handle. “It doesn’t hurt me. It was a game. But it is a motivational factor for the team. The seniors are really hyped to go out with a championship.’’
On the women’s side, Hampton boasts the 2008 MEAC Player of the Year in No. 1 player Na-Hyun Baek, a junior who has lost just one match in two years. Senior Sareeta Thompson of Columbia, S.C., and freshmen Barenese Myers of Beverly Hills, Calif., and Maria Ycaza of Ecuador are expected to be key contributors. The Lady Pirates’ lost some depth when No. 6 player Maya Morgan graduated in December after 3 ? years.
Junior Sung-Kwon Baek (no relation to Na-Hyun Baek) and freshman Nelio Mattos will be counted on to give the Pirates solid Nos. 1 and 2 players. However, senior Gabriel Groh is the player who Screen says best exemplifies what Hampton’s program is about. Groh’s 4.06 grade-point average is the third highest in the entire senior class, and he could become the first athlete in school history to graduate as Valedictorian or Salutatorian.
“Student-athletes come here and graduate,’’ Screen says.
Screen says the key to Hampton’s success on both the men’s and women’s sides will be doubles play.
“Once you get doubles points, you can play comfortably,’’ Screen says. “In the next six matches you only have to win three. That’s what we’ve been discussing.’’
South Carolina State is gunning for its fifth consecutive championship on the women’s side and fifth in six years on the men’s side.
“I like our chances,’’ says Coach Hardeep Judge, who will field a veteran men’s team.
“Being healthy is the key. You never know about injuries. We had a lot of freshmen and sophomores last year. It was great that they won. But they were a little bit nervous in the championship. Getting that win will help us. They know how to win, and they’re still hungry.
“We have a system in place where what we did last year doesn’t matter. We start each year with goals ? new team, new players.’’
Junior Ivan Milivojic, who moved up from No. 6 to No. 1 last year, is one of four All-MEAC performers returning on the men’s side. Supporting him are fellow all-conference picks Gabriel Meana, the 2008 MEAC Freshman of the Year, Radek Pivonka and Tomas Dobratka.
On the women’s side, Judge has had to replace his Nos. 1-3 players, who all graduated. Sophomores Sarai Torres, who played at No. 5 last season, and Daria Sekerina have moved up to Nos. 1 and 2. Freshmen, led by Aniko Kiss, will fill out the bottom of the lineup.
Judge says he will have to alter his approach because he has more inexperienced players on the women’s team than in the past.
“My approach is they’re going to go through growing pains,’’ Judge says. “I’ll let them. I’m not a pushy coach. As long as they work hard, we’ll be fine. I coach younger players from the mental side. They can get up tight. Sometimes they can play down to the opponents’ level. Whether you win or lose does matter. If you work hard wins take care of themselves.’’
Florida A&M could be the spoiler on the men’s side if Coach Carl Goodman can find adequate replacements for the seven lettermen that he lost from last year’s that was runner-up to South Carolina State in the conference championship. Simbarashe Happy, Artiom Podgainii and Paul Paige are the only seniors for the Rattlers.
“We have to learn the game a little bit better at the lower half of the lineup,’’ Goodman says. “We have to be able to close out matches and play big points. Before practice we’re telling them these are the things we’re constantly looking for. After practice, we go over whether we accomplished our goals.’’
Goodman was pleased with the progress the Rattlers made during their fall schedule, particularly the strong showing that made at the HBCU Championship. They won the overall title as Podgainii won the A Flight; David Jackson reached the final of the B Flight, and Paige won the C Flight.