The Mountaineer caught up with the Boy’s Tennis team to talk about their season, what motivates them and their opening songs!
Mason Ulmer, ’27, –
How many years of experience do you have? A little over two now. I started in my freshman year.
What keeps you motivated? Just the competition aspect, playing against my friends keeps me going. Always want to be better than them and always want to improve as a team.
Do you think you’re better than your teammates? Yeah.
What’s the team’s record? 12 and 5
What’s your individual record? 10 and 6
Did you make it to districts and EPC’s? Yes, but I lost in the first round of both.
If you could pick a walk up song, what would it be? Mr. Brightside
What spot are you on the ladder? First singles
Can you explain the ladder? It’s your spot where you compete. It goes first singles, second singles, third singles, and then second doubles, third doubles, and fourth doubles. There are only 9 spots on the varsity ladder.
What’s the best part about being there? I would just say having fun with everyone. The bus rides are fun experiences. So yeah. The social aspect.
How long is the season? It’s like a month and a half but then there’s a couple weeks break before team districts happen so like all together, two months.
How long do districts go on for? Singles districts take place over a couple days as well as team districts, but our team lost in the first round so we were out immediately
Does everyone on the team play? Coach tries to get kids into exhibition matches but only 9 kids start on varsity.
What’s an exhibition match? Matches that don’t count officially towards the teams record, kind of like jv.
What is your favorite shot? Probably a down the line forehand. In doubles it’s fun because I’m pretty consistent with it.
If you had to pick between tennis and chess, which one would you get rid of? Probably chess
Tobias Ricks, ’26,-
How many years of experience do you have? Probably like, 6 years, 4 years on the Stroudsburg team.
What’s your individual record? I don’t want to disclose.
(Enter, Mason) Coach said your 5 and 8
(Enter Tobi) I’m washed guys
If you could pick any walk up song what would it be? Uh, I don’t know
(Enter Mason) Um, don’t you listen to Kpop a lot?
(Enter Tobi) Bro what. Um, I like Steve Lacy idk
Where are you on the ladder? 2nd singles
What’s your favorite part about being there? Just playing the game
If you didn’t play tennis what other sport would you play? Volleyball
Do you prefer back or on the net? Probably on the net because I’m tall so it’s better.
Vaidik Patel, ’28,-
How long have you been playing tennis – I have played for like 2 years
What’s your individual record – 3 and 8
What would your walk up song be – Ummm BABY DOLL . -_-
What’s spot are you on the ladder- I’m 4th doubles
What is your favorite part about being there – Food after because I am a big back, and the practices.
What’s your favorite shot – Back hand I just hit it good I think.
Do you prefer playing at the back or at the net – Back. I’m just better at the back. I can return the serves.