The University of Mount Olive men’s and women’s tennis teams open the season today at the City of Florence Invitational. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
One wears a target on its back. The other is hungry.
Weather permitting, both University of Mount Olive tennis teams start their respective 2023 journeys today in the City of Florence Invitational.
Picked No. 1 in the preseason Conference Carolinas coaches poll, the Trojan women face Newberry. Meanwhile, the men earned the No. 2 slot in the poll and meet Bluefield State University.
Second-year UMO head coach Carlos Lora said both teams are getting the newcomers acclimated to the program and its history, established by former coaches Burt Lewis and Kevin Coghill.
The Trojan women are the two-time defending conference champions, while the men claimed the 2021 title. In all, the two teams have collected a combined 16 regular-season and tournament crowns.
“I try to preach what Kevin did, building the culture and tradition, and continuing the success he had with the program,” Lora said. “Why we’ve done so well in this program with the men and women over the past decade is not just the level of play, but the people we have here right now who have allowed us to do so well in the conference and in the region.”
Leading the women are a pair of two-time all-conference recipients — seniors Ingrid Montserrat and Ukranian native Liza Voloshyna. Also back from last spring are junior Jessica Aylward, senior Maria Impalea, junior Nele Weber and sophomore Karlyn Ray.
Lora said Montserrat, Voloshyna, Aylward and Weber played an integral part of the team’s historic run in 2022. The Trojans finished 17-3 overall and 11-0 against conference opposition.
“[They’re] a really good corps of returners [who are] helping the freshmen get settled into the program and portray the right things we need to do to be successful this year,” Lora said.
The Trojan men filed a 15-6 worksheet last spring. They shared second place with Barton in regular-season play and fell to Belmont Abbey in the conference tournament final.
Five key returners hope to dethrone Belmont Abbey: seniors Victor Nunez and Israel Rodriguez Rojas, and juniors Adam Ibrahim, Diego Ortega Cadahla and Guilherme Zotin de Oliveira.
Lora said the quintet took five freshmen and a JUCO transfer under their wing during the fall season.
“They’re hearing stories of last year, teams we are going to face, the rivalries so they’re getting after it,” Lora said. “They’re good players, but good people as well, and that’s key to moving forward in our program. They’re doing the right things on the court and in the classroom. I’m excited to see how the season progresses.”
The City of Florence Invitational is part of a season-opening, six-match road swing for both teams. The two-day event includes teams from the Peach Belt, Conference Carolinas and Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association.
After their trip to the Palmetto State, the Trojans pay visits to in-state foes Lenoir-Rhyne, Shaw and Campbell.
The home opener is Feb. 18 against Wingate.
“I think we have a good shot competing again for the conference title,” Lora said. “It comes down to us staying in shape. We might have tough losses here and there which happens to every team. It’s a matter of staying together and that’s going be key to having a good season as we try to send our seniors off on a good note.”
