Roster:
Christian Lyerly – Senior
Ashley Kitchen – Senior
Alex Hall – Senior
Mitchell Vegas- Junior
Will McWhirt – Sophomore
Hannah Shoener – Sophomore
Marshall Brown - Sophomore
Teams defeated this season: Tennessee Tech, Mercer University, Washington State University, University of Dayton, University of Pittsburg, University of Alabama, Kennesaw State University, University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, Armstrong State, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Vanderbilt University.
Q: How did you first hear about the Tennis on Campus program? What made you decide to actively take part and also become a leader on your campus? How do you feel about TOC and being a captain?
When I decided to attend a large university instead of playing tennis at a small school, I started looking into Auburn’s Club Tennis program. I knew I didn’t want to stop playing tennis after high school and thought Tennis on Campus would provide me with a great opportunity to continue playing in college. I decided to become captain because I loved it so much my freshman and sophomore year and wanted to help continue to build the program. I have enjoyed my time with TOC and as captain the past two years and am going to miss it a great deal once I graduate.
Q: How did you enjoy your National Championships experience last year?
We loved coming to Nationals last year. We had a blast competing and getting to know the top club tennis teams from around the country.
Q: What does it mean to be back? Was it a more difficult road to return to Nationals?
It means a great deal receiving another bid to Nationals. Being among the 64 best teams in the country is always a goal we set for ourselves every year, and it feels great to reach that goal once again. We started the year off a little rocky. However, in the spring semester we picked up some momentum and won three tournaments in a row, with the last being the TOC Southern Championship. It made it all the more special that we were able to clinch our bid to Nationals by winning our sectional tournament.
Q: In what ways has your team improved this year?
Our team has become overall more solid. Singles, doubles and mixed are all performing well and helping us find wins in tough matches.
Q: What do you tell new players about Nationals, or players that are traveling for the first time to compete for your school?
We make sure to tell each team member up front the dates for Nationals when we start our year. We emphasize that getting a bid to Nationals is always a goal we set for ourselves and that it is always tough earning that spot at Nationals. Playing against strong USTA Southern competition always provides the opportunity to measure ourselves against the nation’s best and helps us prepare for the competition at Nationals.
Q: Who was your toughest opponent at past Nationals and how did they challenge you to become better?
Our toughest opponent last year was probably Arizona State. We lost a tough one to them early in the tournament that prevented us from making the deep run we were hoping for. We learned a lot from that loss and it motivated us to work even harder this past year and become more solid.
Q: Does your team actively use social media to stay connected? If so, what social media platforms are your favorites? Does your team use social media in any special way that you feel sets you apart from other teams?
We have a Facebook page that we use to post pictures of the team at various tournaments so players who don’t travel or players who have graduated can keep up with our progress.
Q: Do you have many seniors on your team? Do you think they know about opportunities after graduation like “Sets in the City” or young adult social leagues? Do you think anyone on your team would be interested in starting one?
We do have a few seniors on our team. All of us love to play tennis so I am sure they would love the opportunity to continue playing tennis after graduation in Sets in the City or in young adult social leagues.
Share with us some of the ways you help out in the local and global communities in the name of tennis.
A number of our players help out the local community through coaching juniors. Some of us coach at home during the summer, as well as on campus at Auburn during the school year. In addition to this, we help run a couple of USTA tournaments throughout the year at the Auburn Tennis Center.
Share with us a funny story about the 2015 team or team member(s).
Ashley, our singles and mixed girl, can do a really funny old lady voice/impersonation. She pulls it out when we are least expecting it and we always crack up.
If a local newspaper was to write a story about your team what is the one thing you’d want to make sure they included?
As much as we love to win, at the end of the day, we always make sure that we are having fun out on the court and that we’re respectful to our opponents. Without that, there’s no point in competing.
