Collin College Tennis looks strong going into the back half of the spring season, with the men's team putting together a nine-meet win streak and the women's team picking up multiple wins. Coach Jamie Nanez believes the tough competition the teams played early in the year is paying off.
"If you look at those schools we played early on, you will see a few top 25 ranked D2 schools, a D1 school, and Tyler Junior College, which is No. 1 in JUCO," Nanez said. "We are definitely playing great tennis, and the guys have a ton of confidence."
The men's team put together wins over Drury University, USC Sumter, Seward County Community College, Copiah-Lincoln Community College, Jones College, Cowley County Community College, Jacksonville College, Barton Community College, and Meridian Community College. The list looks like a who's who of teams that will be at the national tournament in May. Nanez said the wins are a good sign but that he wants to be sure his players can keep up the intensity later in the season and at that tournament.
Nanez said that Minjae Kim is playing some of the best tennis he has seen from him in a long time. He noted that Santiago Martinez played a huge role in the team's upset win against Cowley, which is ranked No. 2 nationally. Martinez and Luke Stula had "an absolute battle" in No. 3 doubles that ultimately helped Collin win the match 5-4.
"Without that win – which it was a very close doubles match – we would not have beaten Cowley," Nanez said.
Nanez said he has seen "glimpses of brilliance" on the women's side as well, although they have not seen as much success. The team did pick up wins against Barton, Copiah-Lincoln and Meridian and have kept things close in their other recent meets. The team has suffered from some nagging injuries which kept them from their full strength, but Nanez is confident the team will step back, reassess, and then move forward playing at their full potential.
Nanez said Alyssa Glasgow has developed into a tremendous leader and competitor after a rough year in 2024.
"She is type of person that saw her lack of success a challenge and I think it was motivation for her," Nanez said. "She has come out this spring and done a great job."
Overall, Nanez is optimistic about the coming weeks leading into the men's and women's national tournaments.
"I think we belong at the top of the rankings … both men and women," he said. "We just have to take these last few weeks and really work hard – harder than we ever have. We have the talent. I think they truly believe that. Now we just have to go earn our results! We have to believe that the work we do will pay off. This time of the year is not easy, but they can do it. Just have to BELIEVE."