MSU teams you should be watching: Men’s Tennis

Michigan State athletics are some of the best in the country. Our football and basketball teams have so many trophies and titles we aren’t sure where to put them all. But there are other programs in East Lansing that deserve some recognition too. The first being the men’s tennis team.

Currently standings put the Spartans at 9-5 so far in the season, the guys are fighting hard to make their way in the Big Ten division. I took a trip over to our indoor tennis facility on Mt. Hope road to speak of head coach Gene Orlando and some of his team members.

Gene Orlando, Head coach in his 25th season

What is your goal specifically for this season?

Considering where we are right now we are working to improve every day, we lost our top two players so we are really looking to develop our younger players to play in positions they were going to play in this year and trying to develop them and help them grow so that they can play in these positions sooner than they thought. We are approaching each day with the opportunity to get better and taking advantage of the opportunities they have. Players don’t know how good they can be until they are put in that position.

What is something people should know about your team?

I think they are really a great group of hardworking guys. They come to practice every day with the intention of getting better. They have a lot of fun and I enjoy coming to practice which is a great feeling. Sometimes its not always that way but the guys have embraced the adversity we have right now to make the most of it and see what we can do.

What is your favorite memory from all your years coaching here at MSU?

My off court favorite memory is recognizing the 1951 team. We celebrated the 50 year anniversary because they were the first MSU team to win a  Big Ten title. It wasn’t football, it wasn’t basketball, it was tennis. Michigan State was introduced to the Big Ten in 1949, but 1951 we won the first title. And to bring those guys back was great! Back then they (the team) didn’t get rings or watches or jackets but when we brought them back we were able to give them watches and they were introduced during half time of one of the basketball games which was a special moment for me to see these guys so excited.

Billy Shisler, Freshmen, Right handed

Recently you guys had a huge rebound after the loss to Louisville, what was that like and how did you prepare for the next match?

For us we are a very talented but young team. So we have to make sure we do every little thing right. That’s what we emphasize in practice, do the little things so you go out there and compete the best you can and eventually the results are going to start coming.

What is your favorite pre-match tradition or ritual?

For me, I’m pretty loose before matches so I try to listen to music, make sure I get my stretch in and do a little rehab and then typically we are ready to go.

What us your favorite memory so far from playing tennis at MSU?

My favorite memory has to be the Spartan retreat that we go on during the second week of the year. Thats always fun because we go camping and there is no internet, no phones so you’re just all there as a team and we do a whole bunch of team bonding things. It’s something we always talk about and something you’re not going to forget.

Jasper Koenen, Sophomore, right-handed

How do you handle academics and tennis?

It is definitely tough, but we have a really good student academic center on campus. We have an academic coordinator on campus for tennis too who helps us with tutors if we need them or talks to professors if they are giving us problems with traveling or missing exams. We have a really great support system. And we have always been traveling and playing tennis our whole lives so we are use to it.

What do you like to do in your free time?

In my time I just hang out with my friends. Like we will go to the movies or go bowling. We try to do fun things like that. Sometimes I just like to listen to music and be by myself. Tennis takes up a lot of time and school does too. When I can I like to travel, I just went to South Africa over winter break and I went to Singapore in high school over spring break. I also really like to read.

Coming off a 7-0 win over Indiana University – Purdue University, Indianapolis, the Spartans look forward to their match at home against the Broncos of Western Michigan and the Flames of Illinois Chicago on Saturday February 17th at 1pm. Stop by the indoor tennis facility to see the Spartans in action!