Popular wisdom says "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." The Virginia men's tennis team -- coming off of the best season in the program's history -- would be inclined to agree.
But an elite program always looks to improve, even after a season in which the Cavaliers won both a share of their first ACC regular season title and their first ACC tournament championship. Last year, when Virginia was ranked as high as eighth nationally, what was even more striking was the make-up of the side. The Cavaliers relied heavily on the services of five sophomores and one freshman last season and all of them returned to the team this year.
This stellar cast will now find competition for starting spots just got a bit tougher after Virginia added a fresh crop of talented freshmen to the team. Somdev Devvarman, ranked No. 21 nationally in singles, headlines the group but is by no means the lone star. Devvarman was the No.1 ranked junior in India, his native country, and was one half of the doubles team that won the 2005 edition of the prestigious National Collegiate Tennis title. Treat Huey, ranked No. 104 nationally, was the other half and he is another player expected to contribute heavily to Virginia's cause this season. Huey was impressive in his first dual match of his maiden collegiate season and was a comfortable winner playing at the No.4 slot for Virginia.
Fellow freshman Eric Riley contributed to Virginia's dominant opening win as part of a doubles team alongside junior Darrin Cohen. Andrew Downing and Jarret Chirico, who is expected to get his first collegiate start against Minnesota on Saturday, are the other freshmen who will be competing for spots on the team. The abundance of talent on the Virginia squad can only bode well for the team as the new season commences with all the expectations following a hugely successful 2004 season.
"It's great for our team," junior Rylan Rizza said. "It is better for our team if we know we can throw in a guy who is seventh or eighth and still be fine."
Depth also allows Virginia to rest certain players for singles action without sacrificing quality.
"We have a lot guys coming who have worked really hard," assistant coach Tony Bresky said. "Adding the freshmen allows us to change the lineup, especially when there are injuries."
Doubles points in collegiate play can be extremely crucial as Virginia proved in its first match against Old Dominion. Virginia set the tone early in the match by sweeping the doubles, helping to build momentum for the singles matches.
"It makes our doubles stronger," Rizza said. "It allows us to have so many different combinations we can throw in."
The Cavaliers will also benefit from improved practices which will prepare the team better for a tortuous schedule that includes No. 1 Baylor and 19 other ranked opponents, nine in the ACC alone.
The Cavaliers will play one of those ranked opponents tomorrow when they take on No. 44 Minnesota at the Boars Head Inn. The game will be a rematch of last year's contest when Virginia traveled to Minnesota and upset the then-No. 15 Gophers. The tables are now turned with Virginia, carrying a No. 10 ranking, serving as the favorite this time around.
"Minnesota is a great team and we know they are well-coached," Bresky said. "We know they will come out very hungry and our guys know this and respect it."
Talent aside, the Cavaliers will be hoping that they are the same team as last year -- looking to repeat early season success and hungry for honors all season long.
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