Men's 2012 Schedule | Women's 2012 Schedule
Two unique challenges await new head coach Nate Feldman as the Norfolk State tennis programs gear up for the 2012 spring season. Feldman, who only started in mid-September, inherits a men's team with high expectations and one of its strongest lineups up and down in several years. The women's team, meanwhile, will have to overcome the loss of several key players with a current roster of just five for the entire 2012 season.
Feldman, though, believes the teams are capable of exceeding their outlook after a strong fall season, noting the improvements many of the players have made since he first arrived on campus. It's that improvement, along with the professional mentality that Feldman stresses, that has him believing 2012 could be a good year.
“We got a lot accomplished in the fall,” said Feldman. “We've changed the culture, and the players have really started to embrace everything that goes with it. They've made great strides in their game, especially in the fall, and they have carried that positive energy into the spring.”
Feldman inherited a men's squad that returns three seniors, including a pair of All-MEAC performers from 2011, from a team that finished 6-14 overall and topped Northern Division No. 1 seed Howard at the MEAC tournament. He also brought in two international players who arrived before the start of the spring semester, a pair who have the capability of jumping into the lineup and making an immediate impact on the court.
“The men's team could potentially push the top teams in the league,” stated Feldman. “Through the results we've seen so far and their work ethic, we have high expectations for them. Adding the two new players could propel them to have one of the better seasons in a while.”
The women's team, meanwhile, will be led at the top by its lone senior and will field two freshmen among its rotation of five players. The Spartans lost two seniors from a year ago along with a third who transferred, while two other players will be forced to sit out this year due to various circumstances.
“The women's team is in a little different situation,” said Feldman. “We are a little short-handed, but we have great team chemistry, and we have players who bring a positive attitude to the court. They'll work hard, and we'll let the chips fall where they may.”
The third head coach of the program in four years, Feldman was fortunate enough on the men's side to arrive during the final season of seniors Arsenio Culver and Ben Marks. Both players earned All-MEAC status last year, Culver on the first team and Marks on the second. Culver finished 11-7 overall, while Marks carried an 8-11 mark in singles play. The duo, who also owned a 10-4 doubles record together, will give Feldman two solid anchors at the top of the lineup.
“Arsenio is one of the best players in the conference,” Feldman said. “We're looking for him to really step up for his last hurrah. He's incredibly talented and is primed for a great season.
“Ben had an outstanding fall, a breakout fall, and made a lot of strides as he embraced a new playing strategy,” the head coach continued. “He's a team captain, a team leader, and one of the most competitive guys I've ever coached. He will carry us in doubles play.”
Also back are senior Christian Romanzini and sophomore Kent Austin. Both were new to the program last year, and both have begun to step up their game this season. Feldman expects them to be two more key ingredients to a successful season.
“Chris made good strides in the fall, shoring up a lot of areas in his game,” said Feldman. “He's a vocal guy, very emotional. He provides that senior leadership and really cares a lot about the program.
“Kent is a workhorse. He would be out there all day if you didn't peel him off the court. He's definitely the loudest guy on the court. Kent is very steady, a very hard player to beat.”
Those four returnees would have already formed a strong lineup, and Feldman helped bolster it even more by adding freshman Igor Braga and Daniel Grauel for the spring semester. Braga hails from Brazil, while Grauel arrives at NSU from his native Germany. Both players have international experience and are expected to be major players on the team for the next four years.
“Igor is a very talented player, very strong with a big ground game,” Feldman said, noting that Braga qualified for the main draw of a professional futures tournament back home. “He's extremely hard working and very professional. To get someone of his caliber that late was a huge pickup for us.
“We were extremely fortunate to have Daniel come in as well,” Feldman continued. “He's very tall, athletic, and good around the net. He's got a lot of experience in Europe, and once he gets over the difference in surfaces, we'll see him improve in every match.”
Also new to the team this year is freshman Shaheed Mourillon-Swift, who played in Florida last year but also competed in his native Antigua when he was younger. He will join junior Dexter McDowell to help form a deeper lineup, especially with the men having at least 23 matches on the docket this year counting the first round of the MEAC tournament.
“Shaheed has a strong serve and volley game,” said Feldman. “He's big, physical, with good hands around the net. He just needs more match experience.
“Dexter is a strong character guy who always gives 100 percent. He never complains and always gives his best effort. That has helped him improve his game a lot recently.”
For the women, it starts with lone senior Naeemah Brooks. She'll help replace the leadership of departed seniors Jennifer Astbury and Chenge Tsapayi, as well as the production of one of NSU's top players last year, Gabriella Jonsson.
NSU finished 4-17 last year, but did beat North Carolina A&T and nearly took down Bethune-Cookman as well. Brooks finished with a 7-12 singles record and a 6-11 doubles mark.
“Naeemah will be there at the top of the lineup, if not the No. 1 spot,” said Feldman. “She has shown a lot of improvements in her game since the fall. She has a big forehand, is very fiery and is extremely competitive on the court. She'll be the team leader in her final semester.”
NSU's only other returning players are junior Rebecca Graff and sophomore Maryna Kariuk. Graff picked up a pair of wins last season in both singles and doubles in MEAC play, while Kariuk earned a singles win in that near-upset of Bethune-Cookman, a 4-3 loss for the Spartans.
“Rebecca has good racquet skills off the ground, and is one of our stronger players in doubles,” stated Feldman. “She is very hard-working and committed to improving her play.
“Maryna is also very competitive and an intense player. She is very steady out on the court. She's working a lot on her fitness and movement, and we look for her to have a great season.”
The two new faces to the program this year are freshmen Kia Batiste and Laura Gutierrez. Batiste was ranked as a two-star player coming out of Tennessee and advanced to the state finals in doubles her senior year. Gutierrez joined NSU in the spring from her native Colombia, where she either won or advanced to the final of several International Tennis Federation (ITF) junior circuit tournaments.
“Kia has a strong power game, and uses both hands to open up both sides of the court,” said Feldman. “She uses both power and spin, and once she starts getting through some matches she should show good improvement.
“Laura is crafty, very versatile, and is able to use the entire court,” he continued. “She has a lot of international experience, and will be a big asset for us in singles and doubles. She'll be able to grow her all-court play with some game experience on American hardcourts.”
Despite not starting on the job until mid-September, which he admitted posed a challenge as far as getting comfortable with players and figuring out how they tick, Feldman believes expectations should not be tempered in his first season. With a loaded lineup, the men could very well make plenty of noise in MEAC play. The women, meanwhile, could prove to be a pleasant surprise as the season wears on.
