Indiana University Athletics
Friday, September 18
Princeton, N.J.
Indiana University
vs
Princeton Invitational
Hoosiers Ready to Begin New Season
9/17/2015 1:24:00 PM | Men's Tennis
By: Sam Beishuizen | Twitter
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Jeremy Wurtzman can finally hit the reset button.
The second-year head coach didn't have much time to worry about instructing when he was hired in January. He needed to jump straight into competition, setting lineups and competing in the Big Ten.
Despite nearly qualifying for the NCAA Tournament, Wurtzman was rushed. He said he wasn't able to do all the things he views necessary to be a competitive team on such a short turnaround.
His team grew from that, he said. Now with a full year ahead of them and a summer of training already complete, Wurtzman said he's excited to start fresh at Friday's Princeton Invitational. He'll bring six players, including his two freshmen, to the tournament to kick off the 2015-16 season.
"We've been looking forward to the fall since we started, really," Wurtzman said. "To be able to get to all these events and play against some great players is going to be really good for us. We'll be able to teach them stuff in the fall when we're not in our duel match season and really begin to implement our system, which is very exciting."
The process of installing a system can often be overlooked in tennis, an individual sport.
Wurtzman won't change his individual players' games, but he has certain strategies he likes to use. They'll use the fall to focus on the details of their games, breaking down film and adjusting to Wurtzman's style of play.
"Last year, he was taking baby steps when he got here because he didn't really know us that well," senior Chris Essick said. "It's primetime right now for us in transitioning into what he wants to do."
Essick, one of five seniors on the team, is also one of the six players competing this weekend. He'll be joined by Elliott Yee, Matthew McCoy, Stefan Lugonjic and freshmen Antonio Cembellin and Afonso Salgado.
"I feel like our lineup is wide open," Wurtzman said. "Some guys maybe established themselves last year with some good results. But overall, I don't feel like our lineup is even close. There's a lot to be determined this fall."
Wurtzman's fall practices have been a welcome change of pace, Essick said. Players are spending more time on the courts working on tennis skills and building team chemistry to go along with their regular work in the weight room.
As one of five seniors, Essick said he's made a point of welcoming the new players into the team socially and leading by example in practice. The veteran players have spent time discussing what they want Indiana tennis to look like and are beginning to create their vision for the team in practice.
"It's good to have us five seniors to lead them and show them how to compete and be an Indiana tennis player," Essick said. "This year should be our best year by far."
The senior-heavy team is competing with a sense of urgency, Essick said. He added that their experience will help them in competition, especially know that their time is running out.
"It's now or never for some of us," Essick said. "We know we're capable of being a really good team."
Essick isn't alone in having confidence. Players have been talking about their potential all offseason.
Essick said the team's combination of talent and youth will complement Wurtzman's increased comfort level to help the Hoosiers compete in the Big Ten.
There's still lineups to be decided and improvements to be made, but with the season beginning, now's the time for Indiana to begin realizing its potential.
"I feel like the fall is already going in a good direction," Wurtzman said. "I know there's going to be some adversity and some ups and downs, but everyone is buying in.
"We're going to Princeton to win, but we know it's a long process. As long as we continue to get better, that's what the fall is all about."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Jeremy Wurtzman can finally hit the reset button.
The second-year head coach didn't have much time to worry about instructing when he was hired in January. He needed to jump straight into competition, setting lineups and competing in the Big Ten.
Despite nearly qualifying for the NCAA Tournament, Wurtzman was rushed. He said he wasn't able to do all the things he views necessary to be a competitive team on such a short turnaround.
His team grew from that, he said. Now with a full year ahead of them and a summer of training already complete, Wurtzman said he's excited to start fresh at Friday's Princeton Invitational. He'll bring six players, including his two freshmen, to the tournament to kick off the 2015-16 season.
"We've been looking forward to the fall since we started, really," Wurtzman said. "To be able to get to all these events and play against some great players is going to be really good for us. We'll be able to teach them stuff in the fall when we're not in our duel match season and really begin to implement our system, which is very exciting."
The process of installing a system can often be overlooked in tennis, an individual sport.
Wurtzman won't change his individual players' games, but he has certain strategies he likes to use. They'll use the fall to focus on the details of their games, breaking down film and adjusting to Wurtzman's style of play.
"Last year, he was taking baby steps when he got here because he didn't really know us that well," senior Chris Essick said. "It's primetime right now for us in transitioning into what he wants to do."
Essick, one of five seniors on the team, is also one of the six players competing this weekend. He'll be joined by Elliott Yee, Matthew McCoy, Stefan Lugonjic and freshmen Antonio Cembellin and Afonso Salgado.
"I feel like our lineup is wide open," Wurtzman said. "Some guys maybe established themselves last year with some good results. But overall, I don't feel like our lineup is even close. There's a lot to be determined this fall."
Wurtzman's fall practices have been a welcome change of pace, Essick said. Players are spending more time on the courts working on tennis skills and building team chemistry to go along with their regular work in the weight room.
As one of five seniors, Essick said he's made a point of welcoming the new players into the team socially and leading by example in practice. The veteran players have spent time discussing what they want Indiana tennis to look like and are beginning to create their vision for the team in practice.
"It's good to have us five seniors to lead them and show them how to compete and be an Indiana tennis player," Essick said. "This year should be our best year by far."
The senior-heavy team is competing with a sense of urgency, Essick said. He added that their experience will help them in competition, especially know that their time is running out.
"It's now or never for some of us," Essick said. "We know we're capable of being a really good team."
Essick isn't alone in having confidence. Players have been talking about their potential all offseason.
Essick said the team's combination of talent and youth will complement Wurtzman's increased comfort level to help the Hoosiers compete in the Big Ten.
There's still lineups to be decided and improvements to be made, but with the season beginning, now's the time for Indiana to begin realizing its potential.
"I feel like the fall is already going in a good direction," Wurtzman said. "I know there's going to be some adversity and some ups and downs, but everyone is buying in.
"We're going to Princeton to win, but we know it's a long process. As long as we continue to get better, that's what the fall is all about."
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
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