Head coach Jhonnatan Medina-Alvarez, now in his second season, looks to advance upon their best finish in Division I program history last year.
The Longwood men's and women's tennis programs will compete in their first conference match of the season on March 17 in Rock Hill to take on Winthrop University.
The Lancers, who currently have an overall record of 7-2 on the women's team coupled with a 6-3 record for the men's team are looking to ride the early season's successes into conference play.
Jhonnatan Medina-Alvarez, head coach of both programs, said the team has to have a heightened sense of responsibility going into the conference schedule.
“It’s the first time I am managing both teams and we’re going try to be one of the best teams in the conference," he said. "Every year is different, and our team needs to be built in a different perspective when it comes to being responsible and whether they perform."
As both programs are coming off victories heading into their first conference clash, Medina-Alvarez emphasized the importance of effort and consistency going forward.
“Winning or losing isn’t something that I believe we have control over, but as far as competing, giving 100 percent and making big decisions is something that I tell my guys all the time," he said.
The women's team is currently led by sophomore Yulia Almiron, who boasts an 11-5 record, along with junior Jamie Breunig, freshman Emma Nurgazieva and freshman Anika Tylek, who all currently have multiple match winning streaks.
“I think when it comes to the girls, it is more emotional than the boys, it’s about them being a little bit tougher when it comes to their sensations during matches and being able to remove their emotions and treat it more like a job description during the match," said Medina-Alvarez
The men's team is headed by junior Amadeo Blasco, who has been nationally ranked multiple times throughout his career. Blasco currently has a team-best 15-2 (9-0 Dual) record and feels a strong sense of motivation heading into the first conference match.
“We waited a whole year for this. Personally, I am ready for it and I am excited because we’ve been training a lot for these upcoming matches," Blasco said. "I’m going to go out there and give it my all."
Blasco, a Valenica, Spain native has many goals for the continuing season, with one being an undefeated season. Although confident about what lies ahead, Blasco said there is a struggle when playing the game of tennis to always be in top form.
“Being consistent and playing good tennis every match is hard. It’s going to be hard because we’re going to be traveling and playing a lot," said Blasco.
The men's team will be taking on a Winthrop squad who fell to Campbell as the number one seed in last season's Big South Championship match, and currently sits at 6-5 overall and 0-2 in the Big South. Their squad is lead by senior Diego Quiroz and freshman Alberto Tingali who both hold an overall record of 8-3 for the Eagles.
The women will face an Eagles squad who reigns as the defending Big South Champions and currently sit are 8-3 overall, 4-0 in the Big South. In their last meeting, Winthrop defeated the Lancers 9-0 in the first round of last years conference tournament en route to the title.
