Pacific Index

After a tough start, Pacific men’s tennis looks to finish strong

By Tiare Arquero

   After a challenging start to the season, Pacific’s men’s tennis team is beginning to find its rhythm at the right time. Now sitting at 5–4 in conference play with only a few matches remaining, the Boxers are still in a strong position to make a push toward the postseason.

   “This is definitely a slower start for us than past seasons,” shared head coach of the men’s tennis team Rayden Murata with a calm, reassuring expression. It was something unexpected for a team that returned nearly the same lineup from last season. Despite being ranked fourth in the preseason, the team believed they could play at a higher level.

   Early adversity quickly tested that belief. A starting player was sidelined for over a month due to an injury. During a key stretch, the Boxers found themselves down three starters due to additional injuries. “It caused a slow start,” the coach explained, noting that the team was forced to adjust its lineup and rely on its depth earlier than expected.

   One of the biggest positives has been the development of players stepping into larger roles. With injuries opening spots in the lineup, players like Lucas Fuhrmann have taken advantage of the opportunity. Alongside him, Dawson Hose has also stepped up, helping stabilize the team during a difficult stretch. “They both really stepped up and are playing a lot more consistently, which has been really big for us.”

   Team chemistry has also played a major role in keeping the group together. “Culture is the strongest selling point,” Murata said confidently. With nearly the same roster as last season, players have built strong relationships and continue to support one another on and off the court. “When everyone cares about each other’s goals, they play better,” he added.

   Coming into the season, the goal was simple: win the conference. That motivation was fueled by the emotional end to last season and by a determination to come back stronger. Now, with the postseason approaching, the focus has shifted slightly.

   “It’s more of a survival mode right now, just getting wins,” the coach said. The team is focused on dominating teams they should be beating, while staying competitive against top opponents.

With the conference tournament in sight, the path forward is clear. The top four teams qualify, and the Boxers are aiming to not only secure a spot but also improve their seeding. “It would be nice for us to fight for the two or three seed in the conference.”

   As the season winds down, the team continues to focus on improvement more than anything. “Self-confidence and just true belief that we can win the whole thing,” Coach Murata explained.

The team has been focusing more on smaller goals that allow them to focus on playing without a ton of pressure. “We’ve been trying to find smaller goals within matches rather than just focusing on the results. For example, one player said that they were going to try to say only positive things to themself on the court. I think that is something great because it is easy to beat yourself up at the moment.” Along with the mental aspect, another key focus for the team is staying healthy for the rest of the season after a stretch of injuries. Despite the ups and downs, the coach remains confident, saying this is one of the most talented teams he has coached. 

With momentum building and the postseason within reach, the Boxers are focused on finishing strong and proving they are capable of much more than their early results showed.