After a fifth place finish at the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) National Indoor Championships here at Gustavus, the Men’s Tennis team now looks to build momentum as the grind of a long season continues. With matches every week from now through May, much is left to be determined as far as the success of this year’s team.

Key wins have propelled the Gusties to a national ranking of eighth place, including wins over twelfth-ranked Mary Washington (VA) and ninth-ranked UC-Santa Cruz during the ITA Indoor Championships.

“Having our friends and families out there to watch us beat UC-Santa Cruz was something special,” said Senior Mike Burdakin. “We have great support from our fans.”

Burdakin and fellow Senior John Kauss remain unbeaten in Division III doubles play, which is exactly the type of success this squad looks to expand upon. With twelve seniors on the 21-man lineup, leadership and experience is plentiful. Head Coach and three-time Division III Coach of the Year Steve Wilkinson had a lot to say about his senior class.

“They were all junior varsity players during their freshmen year, and they have progressed into one of the top teams in the nation,” said Wilkinson.

He made special mention of Senior ace  Kauss. “In high school [Kauss] never got further than the first round of the state tournament,” said Wilkinson. “His progress is remarkable.”

“We’re really lucky to have as many seniors as we do,” said Senior Nick Hansen. “We’ve all been playing together for four years, and everyone brings something unique to the table. I’m just looking forward to seeing how it all turns out in the end.”

As for Burdakin, he attributes his success to his teammates.

“The competition between teammates every day in practice really helps us push each other to work hard and get better,” said Burdakin.

The men will have to continue to work hard if they wish to improve upon their record of 7-3. Their first opportunity comes Thursday, March 12 against Montana State-Billings. This weekend they face off against Morningside College (IA), Bethel University, St. Olaf and an up-and-coming program in Grinnell College (IA). They finish the busy weekend on Sunday, March 15, on the road at Drake, a place where success has been hard to come by for the Gusties.

“It is always fun playing Drake,” said Senior Charlie Paukert.“They are a high-caliber Division I team with lots of international players. We will fight hard and give it our best shot.”

Regardless of the outcome against Drake, continuing matchups against MIAC schools help serve as confidence boosters throughout the season. Gustavus repeatedly handles MIAC schools every year, this year being no different. Just last Saturday, Feb. 28, 2009, the Gusties defeated Hamline 8-1 to move to 2-0 against the MIAC on the season. They also had the same outcome against WIAC school UW-Eau Claire that same day.

As for the rest of the season, one weekend stands out as the true measuring point. On April 4 and 5, 2009, Gustavus will play seventh-ranked Kenyon College (OH) and second-ranked Washington University (MO), among other teams. Success against these regional rivals could lead to home court advantage for the NCAA Regional Championship on May 9-10, 2009.

For these key matchups, as well as for the rest of the year, “Our goal is always the same: to work hard every day, have positive attitudes in practice and bring home national titles,” said Burdakin when asked about his goals for these matchups as well as the rest of the year.

Another interesting matchup is against the University of Redlands, an opponent for whom the Gusties maintain a general dislike. This matchup, which comes March 25 out west, just adds to the intrigue and pressures of the long tennis season.

One member of the team who understands pressure is Burdakin.
“Well, being that I have the smallest hands of any guy in the Midwest, every win isn’t just a victory for me, but a victory for people with small hands everywhere,” he joked. “I always have that pressure to win for them, as well.” Expect Burdakin and crew to step it up beginning this weekend as the seniors look to finish off their collegiate careers on top.