Club Tennis Provides Athletic Outlet for VCU Students

By Jessica Ferreira
VCU Communications and Public Relations

As the semester pushes onward and exams approach, many students tend to get lost in the day-to-day grind of classes, studying and sleep. With a strict focus on rigorous academic schedules, it is difficult for some students to find a balance and to stay well rounded during their college careers.

But at Virginia Commonwealth University, Club Tennis has emerged as an opportunity for students who want to remain active in both athletics and academics.

VCU’s Club Tennis team fosters a competitive environment for tennis players who want to keep up with the sport while at college. The club is a participant in the Virginia Tennis on Campus League, an affiliate of the United States Tennis Association (USTA). Other members of the league include the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, James Madison University and 11 other state colleges and universities.

VCU Club Tennis began in 2003 with 12 members and was founded by Norman Cruz. Today the program consists of more than 40 male and female players, making the club an active competitor in local, regional and national tournaments. The team placed third in the 2007 USTA Mid-Atlantic Campus Championship and fourth in the 2008 tournament.

This year’s team already survived a snowstorm in Norfolk to compete in the 2010 USTA Campus Championship Mid-Atlantic in January, braving the elements to showcase the players’ skills.

Although the team mainly competes during the spring semester, it also takes part in fall tournaments. The group hosts and travels to individual matches against other Virginia schools to hone players’ skills and provide team building opportunities.

Elyse Anderson, a sophomore biomedical engineering major in the Honors College, strives to balance a hectic academic schedule and plans for medical school with her passion for the sport.

“Tennis is the one thing outside of school that I enjoy doing most, and when I play, I don't think about school or stress,” said Anderson. “It's definitely a great stress relief.”

Anderson has been on the team for two years and has high hopes for the future of Club Tennis at VCU.

“More matches and tournaments are definitely at the top of my list because we have good players but not enough match play,” said Anderson. “I would also like to get us into volunteer work at Lobs & Lessons on Cary Street to help children in Richmond learn how to play tennis and improve the skills they already have.”

The Virginia Tennis on Campus League represents 15 college and university Club Tennis teams in Virginia. Teams participating in the Virginia Tennis on Campus League are required to play three World Team Tennis style matches against other teams in the league.