Cochran, GA - Our summer interview series returns as we ask our Knights head coaches to take a moment and reflect on the past season as well as look at the upcoming season and give us their thoughts. If you are new to the series, we ask our coaches a few questions about the past season and the upcoming season and to share some of their thoughts. Our next coach is Tom Bates, our Men's and Women's Tennis coach.

• How do you feel your previous season went?

We had good seasons with both the men and the women. Both teams finished ranked in the top 10 nationally, and the girls won their first postseason conference championship despite us fighting injuries all year long! Five of the girls made All-Conference.

The men also had a good year, finishing #7 nationally and making the quarterfinals. We had five guys make All-Conference and won the Scholar Athlete of the Year award. 

• Who were your key departures from last year's team and who are some key arrivals for the upcoming season?

We lose Alexia Desmet who has been a solid performer for us as she looks for a change, as well as Jordi Bou Sastre who has been a leader and incredibility hard worker on the team. I wish them the best of luck at their new university. 

The girls are bringing in two transfers who are very solid and the guys bring in one transfer who will make an immediate impact in the lineup. They are currently in the Admissions process.

• What are your expectations for the upcoming season?

We bring back 6 girls from last year's team, providing us with maturity and stability. We will be competing for a conference championship and a trip to Nationals for the 6^th time in 7 years of eligibility. 
We also bring back 5 of 6 men's starters, giving us a great foundation to continue where we left off last year.  We expect to compete for a conference championship again, and fight to make the national tournament for the 6^th time in 7 years of eligibility. 
Overall both programs are sound, but the budget gets tighter every year, making any success we have an even greater achievement than the last year. We continue to do more with less, and that is directly attributed to the outstanding student athletes on the tennis team. 



Check back in a few days as we continue our series with our next coach, Becca Hewitt, our Softball coach.