10.1

SPORTS

Tennis team looks to improve on last year's record

by Craig Cashman
Norwich Staff Writer

The Norwich tennis team looks to improve upon last season’s record (5-5) and compete with the other schools in their division.

NU tennis coach James Franklin, who also serves as the university’s soccer coach, is hoping that new players will try out and assist the returning players in contending with stiff competition.

“There is not necessarily an influx,” Franklin said, “but there are guys who are going to add to the depth of the team.”

The Norwich tennis coaching staff is currently in the process of developing a program that would allow them to recruit players who have the ability to come to the university in the future and help the tennis program be successful.

“We are beginning to systemize a recruiting process,” Franklin said. “It is something that is not going to be pursued aggressively, but it is something that we are hoping to work with.”

The NU tennis team, which caters to both men and women athletes, play their home games at Shapiro Field House, but not all competitive tennis at the NCAA level is played indoors, and they also compete in outdoor matches at other universities.

There is an open tryout, which to be held this fall, but the current team members are busy keeping in their top season form.

“The captains are instigating an off-season program, this year, and players are practicing on their own, trying to improve themselves,” Franklin said. “They are doing a lot of work to change the culture of the program, which is an excellent improvement.”

Those interested in joining the Norwich tennis team should contact Franklin.

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