Tennis on Campus

 

When five talented tennis players at South Dakota State University decided that the Jack Rabbits’ varsity program wasn’t for them, they began their search for another outlet to enjoy the game they so loved.

 

Enter the USTA’s Tennis On Campus program, designed to provide college students with a host of opportunities for team camaraderie, social networking and unrivaled competition through tennis without the demands of a varsity program. In a matter of months, a determined quintet aligned, friendships were made and a club team formed. 

 

Just one season in, SDSU now finds itself in contention at the 2013 Tennis On Campus National Championship in Surprise, Ariz.

 

"Varsity tennis just wasn’t a good fit," said Christian Maki, captain of the newly founded SDSU Tennis On Campus club. "I played for one season and knew it wasn’t for me. Last fall, I looked Tennis On Campus up online, got my buddies together and started it up. Tennis On Campus is less demanding of our time but still really competitive. It’s such a fun atmosphere."

 

Maki said Nationals will be the first tournament that the whole squad has been able to travel to. Due to scheduling conflicts and injury, the team has yet to have its full array of talent available in tournament play. To add to its core, the five former varsity players recently recruited a solo freshman, bringing the team head count to six – a smallish number for a Nationals participant. 

 

It’s been a hectic genesis and a lot of work on top of a school schedule, but Maki is confident that the club will continue to gain interest on campus – after all, a chance to participate in national competition holds a special allure. 

 

"Hopefully, if we continue to do well," said Maki, "we can get more students interested and continue to build up a larger program next year."

 

Maki said he knew he would enjoy the World Team Tennis format of Tennis On Campus – no-ad scoring, five sets circulating new team members at the end of each, the super tie-breaker in play as an ultimate decider – because he grew up playing in a similar format with USTA Jr. Team Tennis. 

 

"I have some really great memories from JTT, traveling and playing with friends," Maki said. "I knew Tennis On Campus would be the same. Every point, every game counts; you get that team aspect that isn’t always present in tennis."

 

SDSU will face strong competition in Surprise from three USTA Northern rivals: The University of Minnesota, North Dakota State University (who finished first and second in Northern sectionals, respectively) and Valley City State University, one of the few qualifying schools that doesn’t have an accompanying varsity tennis program. 

 

The four, along with annual powerhouses such as the 2012 champions, University of California – Berkeley, will take to the courts at the Surprise Tennis & Racquet Complex starting Thursday, April 11.