Roster:
Jordan Tolbert – Junior
Scott Vannerson – Junior
Will Dixon – Grad
Ivan Bunin – Junior
Farris Muntasser – Sophomore
Matt Downes – Senior
Shashaank Umesh – Junior
Samantha Camilo – Sophomore
Rebecca Levin – Junior
Alaina Warren – Senior
Nihaari Josyula – Freshman
Teams defeated this season: Bryant University, Northeastern, Boston University, UMass Lowell, Lasell.
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?
As freshmen tennis players, you hear about all types of clubs as you try to settle into the college experience. Each of the players on our team was a former high school athlete, so the transition is seamless. I’m a big fan of TOC because it allows a former competitor to enjoy the sport they love while also remaining scholarly, and being a captain is one of my greater college pleasures.
Q: How did you enjoy your National Championships experience last year?
Our National Championship experience last year was amazing. For everyone on our team, it was our first appearance.
Q: What does it mean to be back? Was it a more difficult road to return to Nationals?
It is an honor to be back. It is never an easy road through the New England Sectional Tournament. The competition is tough and we had to bring our ‘A’ game.
Q: In what ways has your team improved this year?
Having brought multiple new players in to the mix, our team has learned how to utilize each player to the best of their potential. The camaraderie is also indicative of our improvement
Q: What do you tell new players about Nationals, or players that are traveling for the first time to compete for your school?
Enjoy yourself. Each day at school is stressful for a number of reasons. We earned our way to Nationals so that we can compete but also have fun playing the sport that many of us have enjoyed for the majority of our lives.
Q: Who was your toughest opponent at past Nationals and how did they challenge you to become better?
Our toughest opponent last year was ourselves. We made a habit of beating ourselves up after each loss and it proved to be detrimental down the road. We need to challenge ourselves to take each loss in stride as a learning experience.
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?
Yes. Social media is big for us. Our Facebook page is how we stay connected and updated. It’s also a place for us to share funny stories and interesting things that are going on in the UMass community.
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 have two seniors on our team, Matt Downes and Alaina Warren. I’m not sure if they are aware of the opportunity, but I’m sure as seniors they want to know all of the options available to them.
Share with us some of the ways you help out in the local and global communities in the name of tennis.
Every week that we are in season, we hold open practices where students and members of the community can come and hit with some of the experienced club players who give them pointers. We are in collaboration with the Amherst High School Tennis Team and provide hitting partners for the students.
Share with us a funny story about the 2015 team or team member(s).
During Nationals last year there were significantly fewer beds than male players. So each night we came up with a gauntlet of obstacles and games (tennis related) and the winner and second-place holders got their own beds while the two losers had to share the pull-out bed.
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?
If a local newspaper were to write on our team, I would want them to capture our charisma. Make sure they include that, for back-to-back years, we are the only public school (among notable Ivy Leaguers) representing from the New England section. Our team is also ethnically diverse, and that is something that we take pride in.
