Men's tennis team prepared for national tournament in Arizona

The Eastern Florida State College men's tennis team has been hard at work preparing for the NJCAA Division I Men's Tennis National Championship Tournament in Tucson, Arizona.

The Titans are making their second straight appearance in the national tournament, finishing sixth overall last year. This year the team returns three players who all played in the national tournament last year, bringing experience to the tournament this year.

"We were pretty tired last year because it was warm. It will be warm again this year so we will have to be tough mentally and physically but if we do our best, we will do well," sophomore Nils Michel said.

Michel made it to the quarterfinals of the No. 1 singles last year and teamed with Adirel Azucey to make the semifinals in No. 2 doubles. The France native was named first team All-American and is back looking for another strong showing.

"We have a really good team and we come in with a really positive attitude," Michel said. "It will be the last time playing with these guys. We have put in a lot of hard work and I am excited to see how we do."

Azucey made it to the quarterfinals at No. 2 singles last year as well and believes this is a special group.

"If we work together, this group can accomplish anything," Azucey said. "I just want us to go out there, do our best and have fun in the moment because it is a big opportunity for us."

The Titans come into the national tournament No. 7 in the latest NJCAA Division I poll and have been working hard to get ready for the tournament.

"This last week has been one of the hardest of the semester, long practices as well as weight room and jogs around the soccer field. I believe we are ready to play well next week," sophomore Fabricio Galvan said.

Galvan made the quarterfinals in doubles last year with Milan Silvac who graduated.

The national tournament begins Monday in Tucson, Arizona with the finals in each flight scheduled for Friday at the Reffkin Tennis Center.