Asbury University’s men’s and women’s tennis teams are mid-season, settling into the rhythm of competition as they prepare to begin competing in Collegiate Conference of the South (CCS) matchups. This stretch of the season always carries weight, but this time, it’s a little different. Last year was their debut season in the conference, and both teams made a statement. The men’s and women’s teams were named CCS Tournament Champions, and then men also secured the CCS Regular Season Championship.
That kind of entrance sets a tone. It also sets a standard.
Now, as conference play approaches once again, the focus has shifted from proving themselves to sustaining success. Winning once earns attention, but winning again can establish a team identity.
“Going into the conference, we have to be ready to play with no fear and a lot of intentionality with every point,” team captain Benjamin Moore said. “It will require us to be ready and focused. I think we can’t just relax because we won last year, and that’s the biggest part.”
Defending a title brings its own unique pressure. Expectations grow from coaches and spectators, but also from the team itself. The Eagles enter conference competitions ready to win again, but maintaining that record requires more than talent. It requires resilience when matches are tight and discipline when practices fall into routine.
“There’s a little bit of expectation, but it’s a good thing,” Moore said. “We want to win again and want to get to the point where Asbury’s a team people consistently see winning our conference. We want to establish consistency.”
Consistency, in this case, looks like more than match results. For the Eagles, it’s also a commitment to preparation. Since the team practices off campus, players make an almost 30 minute drive to evening practice- a routine that demands time management and focus after long days at school. Those small, unseen commitments shape their dedication on the court as well.
“I don’t think we’ve ever had as much talent as we do right now. It’s just getting our work ethic to match where our talent is,” Moore said.
For right now, the immediate priority is returning to a match mindset. College tennis differs significantly from the year round rhythm many players experienced in high school. Instead of competing throughout the calendar year, collegiate athletes have roughly six months of competitive play. That condensed timeline means there is less time to ease into it, and players must recalibrate quickly.
As conference play begins, the Eagles are not only chasing another title. They are chasing the standard of excellence that Asbury is known for- and working to prove their success wasn’t just a fluke, but rather the beginning of something sustainable.
