ASHEVILLE (WLOS) — With new coach, Matt Frost, Asheville men’s tennis team is seeking a leap back to the top of the Big South Conference.
This Sunday, UNC Asheville will face Charlotte. Last year, the Bulldogs hosted the 49ers at the Asheville Racquet Club, this weekend, Asheville meets the 9ers on their courts in the Queen City. It isn’t all about facing Charlotte, but it’s simply the beginning of something new. Out at practice this past Wednesday, new head Matt Frost, who was hired back in May of 2023, remarked on what’s important starting of the 2024 calendar.
“Energy, biggest thing. Energy, because with energy, will come the belief that we can do anything we want to do,” Frost said. And one of those things this team wants to do, Frost continues, “I know that they’re upset with last year. Because I sat down with them and had individual meetings with them, and all of them were ‘we have to be better in conference, conference is where we want to be,’ that’s all they talked about.”
A coach can coach, but the players will have to be the ones to see this thing through. Asheville men host a roster of eight athletes, with two seniors and two fifth years, so the time is now to go out on top. For a class that won a conference championship in the beginning of their Bulldog career, they yearn to know that feeling again.
“With the work ethic we’re putting in this year, I would definitely expect to see some gains. We lost a lot of people after the 2021 season, just trying to bounce back in any way we can. Basically just get after it and maximize our potential,” senior, Jon Brann Reid said. “I haven’t seen team chemistry like this. I enjoy every bit of this team, fun group of guys, on and off the court, I enjoy both aspects of it.” Reid would continue, “I think one of the things that’s improved since getting to college has been keeping a good attitude. Having a good work ethic, being consistent, and trying to spread that to my teammates.”
From one upperclassmen to another, one of the fifth years, who is a twin with the other fifth year. Bruno and Rafa Serra transferred in during the 2020-2021 season, helping the Bulldogs claim their most recent conference title, I met with Bruno to dissect how he sees this year.
“We’ve been playing together for more than ten years. So it’s pretty cool to play college tennis together and go on this journey together. We have pretty good chemistry, we’re like best friends. It’s the goal to bring this chemistry to the team as well. I think I’ve learned to maintain composure throughout the years. It’s pretty cool to have a new coach. It’s a new experience, a new dynamic. He [Frost] works really hard, he pushes us to the limit, he’s also a very cool guy to be around. It’s a pretty fun atmosphere.”
Asheville has more than a month of competition before Big South Conference play begins against Longwood, March 16th.