Coming off last year’s successful season, the Vandal men’s tennis team is ready to pick up where it left off when the season begins this Sunday at Eastern Washington.
The Vandals bring back an experienced squad this season with five seniors on their roster. Idaho coach Jeff Beaman said the depth will be important for the Vandals.
“We probably have the most talented team in terms of depth and overall talent that we’ve had at Idaho,” Beaman said. “The big thing is how does this team play under competition, and Eastern will be a good test.”
The Vandals haven’t competed since November, but team captain Abid Akbar said the team is looking fit and ready to make an impact.
“It feels good,” Akbar said. “I think everybody did their best over break and kept working out. We’ve been practicing for a week and everyone looks good, so I’m excited.”
Akbar and Marius Cirstea enter the season as the top ranked doubles team in the Mountain Region after winning the ITA regional doubles championship and making it to the National Indoor Intercollegiate Championships.
“They’re No. 1 in the region and we’re in a good region,” Beaman said. “To know that you have a team that beat USC’s No. 1 team and they won four national championships, when you have that option out there, it’s a nice option to have.”
Akbar was also recognized and is ranked seventh in singles for the Mountain Region.
“I feel very honored to have a good partner and a good coach,” Akbar said. “It’s good to be up there and hopefully we can inspire the teammates and they can get in the rankings as well.”
Another bonus for the Idaho tennis team is getting sophomore Dmitry Perevoshchikov back. Perevoshchikov spent last year at Idaho but returned to his home country of Russia to coach. Perevoshchikov adds to Idaho’s already deep roster, a roster Akbar said is competitive all the way around.
“Anyone can play anywhere on the team right now,” Akbar said. “Everybody looks good and the depth is important in tennis and I think we’re looking really good right now.”
After Eastern this weekend, the Vandals will keep at it, traveling to Oregon where they will face Nevada on Jan. 26 and DePaul on Jan. 27.
Team captain Jose Bendeck said the team is feeling good about its chances this season.
“We just need to keep working hard,” Bendeck said. “We have a good team with players that play at a really high level. I’d say we have one of the best teams we’ve ever had and that’s huge for us going in.”
Kevin Bingaman can be reached [email protected]
Rackets in motion – Idaho men’s tennis starts season at Eastern Washington with strong roster