2021 Men's Tennis Season Recap

POCATELLO, Idaho- The start of the 2021 men's tennis season did not start the way Head Coach Alexander Free hoped. The team started the year 0-8 and was dealt a tough hand early by having to play regional opponents such as Utah State, Utah, Boise State, and BYU.

Free attributed the 0-8 start, in part, to the tough schedule that the team was given, but also explained that not having a fall season was a factor. 

"It's really tough to come in as a coach and try to change the culture of a program and then not have the guys be able to play anybody but the guys you have on your team," Free said. "For us it was pretty difficult, without that fall season, to try and work some stuff out in matches."

The team started out losing eight straight with their worst loss at BYU in which they lost 7-0. 

"That was probably the lowest I've felt as a coach in my career," Free said.  "So far just in terms of the players not feeling like what we're doing is working, the process is not working and really just seeing the overall effort throughout practice in the week."  

The team was fortunate enough to get a two week break in the middle of the season as a result of rescheduling. Coach Free explained that that time really helped the team to refocus and come together again. 

After a big 6-1 victory over George Fox University, the Bengals found the spark that they needed and took off from there. 

With that win, the team went on to a record of 8-3 for the second half of the season.

During the team's hot streak, Free highlighted one team member as making a difference with his leadership on and off the court. 

Jaime Castillo-Lopez, a senior, started off the year 0-7. After his poor start, Free pulled Castillo-Lopez from the lineup. After trying to save another starter for another match, Castillo-Lopez got another opportunity and made the most of it. 

At the end of the season, Castillo-Lopez was tied for the most wins on the team. 

"His leadership really did mean a lot to us at the end of the year," Free said. "What he was doing off-court...motivated the guys to bring it in practice and really made a huge impact on our program."

The expectation for the boys was set from day one. Coach Free explained that his philosophy is based on one, becoming better each and every day through one's work ethic and two, controlling the things that you can control.

"Once we started living by that process a little bit more, our season really started turning around." Free said. 

That philosophy seemed to work as the team racked up three big wins over Montana, Weber State and Sacramento State to qualify for the Big Sky Conference tournament. 

After a big win over in-state rival Idaho in the semi-finals, the team was set to face off against Northern Arizona University in the conference championship. 

Unfortunately, the team fell short in the championship match, but making the conference championship was victory enough for the team when considering where they had come from. 
Coach Free thanked all the support that came from the community and students.

"Every match we played at home, we hit capacity which was really really cool," said Free. "We appreciate the support. It makes our guys feel like what they are doing is special and the work that they're doing is appreciated."

Going forward, Free explained that he likes the direction of where the team is heading but recognizes that there is still work to be done. 

Coach Free further explained that he believes the process will work if it is followed. Free looks forward to the future and is excited to be the head coach of the Idaho State Bengals men's tennis team.