With three of its top-seeded seniors from last year graduated, the men’s tennis team is left with a team short on experience this season, but with two fall tournaments complete, coach Jon Choboy is pleased with the intensity the team has shown.

“What I like about this right now is the fact that they seem to come together as a team,” Choboy said. “There seems to be guys who understand the team concept, and if that isn’t there, they aren’t going to be successful. They are coming out and pushing each other everyday.”

With three freshmen, four sophomores, two juniors and one senior, the men’s tennis team has to work hard to rebuild after losing talent. According to Choboy, he doesn’t consider this a rebuilding year, but just another year with plenty of youth.

“I don’t really know if there is a term for it, but it’s just players graduate and you have new players,” Choboy said. “We have some young guys in there but they are good young guys. It’s just a matter of time before they hit the ground running. I like youth; they will work hard and come in with lots of energy.”

The Pack opened its fall season two weeks ago, when senior Frideric Prandecki, junior Rob Lowe and redshirt freshman Will Rolinson participated in the University of Virginia Classic Sept. 11-13.

The team fell short during most of its matches, yet had the chance to gain early match experience.

On Sept. 18, several more members of the team traveled to Travelers Rest, S.C. to compete in the Cliff Falls Classic. Sophomore Jamie Pulgar won both of his singles matches during the Classic. He said that the team is working hard to help the new players.

“I think at this point of the season we are working on conditioning,” Pulgar said. “I have been practicing hard, doing my best to teach the new freshman we want to work hard this season.”

Freshman David Thompson made his first appearance for the Wolfpack in S.C., defeating all of his competition. Thompson participated in Junior Wimbledon this year and was a top recruit.

With such strong young players, as opposed to strong seniors from the previous season, the dynamic has shifted dramatically, according to sophomore Akash Gujarati.

“Last year our top three seniors were really good, and everyone else wasn’t so sure of the role they played on the team,” Gujarati said. “Now we have to stand up and make it count; everyone knows what they need to do. I love the spirit of the team; everyone’s working really hard.”

Gujarati, who didn’t see many matches last year, is ready to step up and make an impact on the team, he said. Gujarati also participated in the Cliff Falls Classic, defeating all of his opponents.

“I just want to go out there and just play tennis without thinking about the result,” Gujarati said. “I need to settle down and play my game, which I didn’t do last year. I need to get into my role on this team.”

The men’s tennis team is now preparing for the All-American Championship, which will be held the first week of October in Tulsa, Okla.