Last weekend’s Illini Open provided the Illinois men’s tennis team with valuable experience, simulating the high-intensity level of a dual match.

“Everyone brought good energy,” sophomore Farris Gosea said. “A few places, people didn’t play the best they could, but I thought it was great overall and a really positive experience for the freshmen.”

Having only two upperclassmen among their nine members, the young team struggled with doubles competitions. Freshman Brian Page said they didn’t play their best.

“I think the doubles and combinations of people definitely didn’t work, so I feel we need to get that right,” Gosea said.

Head coach Brad Dancer has previously said the Illini Open was practice for the upcoming season, and he was pleased with what he saw out of his players, despite their youth.

“I think the emotional component, in terms of competing, will be fantastic because these guys are so eager, so hungry and really enthusiastic, and that’s going to be a benefactor for us,” Dancer said.

He added that while youth may help the team on the court, the issue is going to be getting the athletes to maintain their composure and not let the excitement get the best of them.

“Tim Kopinski and Ross Guignon are good examples,” Dancer said of the sophomores. “They will bring the fury of hell to their opponents, but they don’t exactly know where to dial that down and be in a composed range.”

Senior Stephen Hoh said the younger guys are making things really easy on him, always working hard and forming good chemistry with each other. Most importantly, they’re really motivated, leaving him to try and set a good example for them to follow.

With this weekend marking the official start of the Illini’s season, Dancer said he finds himself having no concerns as of right now, only looking forward to more competition.

“Never quit, fight like hell, all the way through,” Dancer said. “I feel comfortable saying that will be our mantra of this team through the year.”

J.J. can be reached at [email protected].