As fall approaches, training has become a priority for the men and women’s tennis teams, who are getting more prepared than ever. Their fall season generally consists of practice, but this year they play tournaments three weeks in a row.

“We’re progressing along,” coach Dan MacDonald, head of both the men’s and women’s team, said. “We lost two players on the men’s team as well as the women’s team, but we have picked up a few freshmen for both teams. We are going in the direction we need to be going. Both teams are looking very strong so far.”

Since the weather can be so unpredictable in Colorado, the tennis team splits its season, playing 25 percent of its matches in the fall and the other 75 percent in the spring. The team feels that this will give the newcomers time to adjust and improve.

“We definitely have more depth within the lineup this year that gives us more of an edge,” freshman Andres Garcia-Rojas said. “Practice has been going very well so we are extremely hopeful for this season.”

The tennis season begins on Sept. 13 and 14 with matches at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.

elsuch@mavs.coloradomesa.edu