Until construction on their home courts is finished, the men’s and women’s tennis teams will be hosting their home competitions at the courts located in Pullen Park. Although the venue is unusual, both Wolfpack tennis squads seem unshaken by the change in routine. The women’s team has already won a match at the new location, and the men look forward to their first competition on the site by hosting bitter rivals from Chapel Hill Friday. Coach Jon Choboy is impressed by the job done to accommodate the athletes while the Curtis and Jacqueline Dail Outdoor Tennis Stadium remains under construction.
“The administration had done a really good job making it as good of a home court as possible,” Choboy said. “It’s got a brand new surface. Usually when it’s brand new it’s a little slower and that’s true. It’s definitely a little slower than we’re used to but once you play on it a couple of weeks you get accustomed to it.”
The change of venue is by no means a sudden or unexpected occurrence. Both teams planned ahead and began practicing on the courts in order to get used to any differences there may be between the courts, if any at all. Junior Dominic Hodgson recognizes the dissimilarities but they do not stifle his enthusiasm.
“It’s going to be different,” Hodgson said. “It’s obviously not where we’re used to playing our tennis but we’ve had a lot of practices out there the last few weeks and everyone is starting to feel comfortable. Hard courts bounce pretty true no matter what the surface. They’re pretty much the same as we’ve had before. I just can’t wait to get out there on Friday.”
Despite not having on-site locker rooms or any of the other amenities provided at the normal facility, none of the coaching staff or athletes appears to be bothered or inconvenienced. In fact, the home court advantage may be further strengthened by the fact that visiting teams will be playing on an away court that they have never experienced in past competition. Sophomore Dave Thomson recognizes there is a lot more involved with the home court advantage other than being used to the same venue.
“A tennis court’s a tennis court,” Thomson said. “I think the home advantage counts more than for courts you’re familiar with. I think it’s more about preparation as well. Not having to travel and stay in hotels and eat out in restaurants, things like that. You can stay in your own bed and you don’t have to change anything in your routine.”
Both the men and women resume play this weekend. Though the women’s team travels to Charleston, S.C. this weekend to take on Wisconsin, it returns to action next Wednesday against rival North Carolina. The next men’s match will be held Friday at 2 p.m. against the Tarheels as well. According to Hodgson, the match should prove to be a barnburner, and the team is excited to take on its in-state foe.
“If anyone likes tennis, this is definitely the match to come to, for sure,” Hodgson said. “It’s going to be a pretty hotly contested match.”