Nov. 1, 2011
UIC men's tennis student-athletes, junior Rahul Kamath (Downers Grove, Ill/Downers Grove South) and senior captain Nate Kirk (Wichita, Kan./Wichita-Southeast) sat down with UICFlames.com to discuss what the team aims to accomplish for the 2012 dual season. After their fourth-place finish last year, both Kamath and Kirk agree the team needs to improve this season.
The UIC men's tennis team concluded the 2010-11 season with an overall record of 8-14, and a 4-3 mark against Horizon League rivals. The Flames lost to Wright State in the third-place match of the Horizon League Championship. The squad is determined to improve its previous standing this upcoming season.
The UIC team had a strong fall season, which was capped off with four of the Flames participating in the USTA/ITA Midwest Regional in Columbus, Ohio.
When talking to Kamath, who finished the 2011 dual season with a 6-4 singles record, he expresses the team is in a suitable position for concluding fall play.
"There were some tough match ups at the Regional, but everyone had a strong showing," Kamath said.
Among the notable matches, Alexander Raa (Bergen, Norway/Tertnes VGS) dropped in a hard fought two-set match (6-4, 6-4) to Notre Dame's Casey Watt, who went on to compete in the semifinals of the Regional.
Additionally, James Li (Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton-Warrenville South) topped 12th-ranked Otavio Perim of Marquette, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 during the qualifier round.
The Flames' fall accomplishments were distinguished, but the UIC team has much to focus on, including their strength and conditioning.
"We have an extremely mentally tough team this year and everyone keeps fighting," Kamath said. "We are keeping our game sharp by improving our strength and conditioning with a lot of circuit training and flexibility."
Similar to his teammate's statements, Kirk, who compiled a 9-14 2011 dual singles record, explains how although he is satisfied with their performance this fall, there is room for improvement.
"It will all come together," Kirk said. "We have a team full of people who want to work hard, and good team chemistry. We are all rooting for each other on the court and pushing each other to stay in shape."
Kamath, Kirk and the rest of the Flames squad begins the 2011-12 dual season in a match against DePaul Sat., Jan. 14, in Chicago, Ill.
