The tinnis team, ranked 12th nationally, takes on 13th ranked Ouachita Baptist on March 3 at 2p.m.

“It’s a huge match and we need literally ever single person there,” tennis player Kyle Davidson, senior in accounting/finance, said.

“The sport may not be as big as football or basketball, but the atmosphere we build when there is more fans really helps. Each person that come out helps push the team a little farther,” Ramón Toyos, junior in mathematics/psychology, said.

“It will be a good match between the teams,” said Scott Linn, head tennis coach.

Three weeks of practice has prepared the team for the upcoming season.

“We are all extremely excited,” Davidson said.

Toyos said, “The feeling on the whole team is that we are ready for these matches and the whole season,”

There are six returning players and four freshmen this season. Upperclassmen have helped the freshmen understand how college tennis is played. Linn said that the returning players lead by example.

“With me, Ramón, Zach, and Chris leading, I feel like we are headed in the right direction,” Davidson said.

Toyos said, “We aren’t leaders because we are better. We give them tips about how the season will be.”

It is different playing for yourself than it is on college team, especially in different countries said Toyos who was recruited from Spain.

“This college experience is completely different. Tennis is and individual sport, but in college it turns into a team sport,” Toyos said.

Players said they compete better with larger crowds.