The 2015 men’s tennis team looks to continue its push for a national bid by building on its consistent improvement and performing well in its upcoming conference matches.

The Titans have had a tough go of it thus far, competing against multiple regionally ranked teams and falling short to those teams.

Although the remainder of the schedule will be challanging, the team continues to have a positive mindset.

Junior David La Grange is among the team members who said he believes in building improvement and team chemistry.

“I think that our team’s ability to support and push one another has been the strongest part of this year’s team,” La Grange said.

La Grange said the team has taken some tough losses so far this season.

“Our team needs to make sure we are staying positive on and off the court and keep grinding during our matches,” La Grange said.

This year’s team is a bit younger, with just two seniors and a junior, but La Grange said he is pleased with the underclassmen’s contributions.

“With having such a young team this year, I think that a lot of the guys have stepped up their game thus far,” La Grange said. “Everyone has improved their shot selection and have become more consistent players.”

Sophomore Adam Martin said he understands the youth of the 2015 team as well.

“I feel like the season has gone relatively well so far,” Martin said. We’ve had an extremely hard season as well as a young team.”

Martin said if the Titans look to receive a national bid, they will have to embrace their difficult schedule and perform well.

“Our most important matches will be our conference matches at the end of the year against UW-Eau Claire, La Crosse and Whitewater,” Martin said. “These will be the matches that dictate if we go to nationals or not.”

Head coach David Bickett said he found some bright spots in this season’s team.

“Our doubles play has been good, and we’ve been improving in singles; how well we end up doing this year will really hinge on that improvement in singles,” Bickett stated.

Bickett said he is impressed with the level of camaraderie within the team.

“The guys get along very well, even though sometimes they are jockeying for each other’s positions in the line-up,” Bickett said.

Bickett said he believes as the season gets closer to the end, certain aspects of the team’s game will propel them into the national spotlight.

“Continuing to get better at doubles, which will help us grab a lead against better teams, bringing more energy on the courts, and becoming more vocal will be things that we will focus on,” Bickett said.