Men’s Tennis Undefeated At Home As It Waits For The Newly Constructed Center To Open

After losing the end of their season to COVID-19 in March 2020, Liberty’s men’s tennis team has finally returned to action – and the Flames have come back with a bang, gaining experience against nationally-ranked sides and staying undefeated at home as they wait for their new tennis center to officially open.  

With all the uncertainty of cancellations and COVID-19 testing, getting back on the courts came as a great relief to players like freshman Deji Thomas-Smith. 

“I haven’t played a competitive match since my last match of the 2020 season, which was in March – so it’s been about 10 months,” Thomas-Smith said. “So, it felt really good to be back out there on the competitive court. The atmosphere was really good and it was a great match to start on and we’ve learned a lot so we can build from there.”

The Flames lost Jan. 17 in their season opener 7-0 to the No. 22 University of Virginia Cavaliers, but the next day they hosted Elon University, defeating the Phoenixes 5-2. This win would be a great momentum builder for the prestigious tournament the Flames would compete in the week after.

For the first time in program history, the Flames appeared in the ITA Kickoff weekend, an illustrious event that hosts some of the best tennis teams in the nation. During this event the Flames faced the No. 4 Texas Longhorns (the defending national champions) and the Arizona Wildcats on Jan. 22 and 23.

“It definitely felt special considering it was the first in program history, it means that our program is heading in the right direction,” junior Nicaise Muamba said. “I think it made everyone believe that we can compete and that we belong with the big teams.”

Even though the Flames lost to the Wildcats and the Longhorns, having the experience from playing two teams in Power Five conferences is something Thomas-Smith believes the Flames can learn and build from. 

“After the match, we even heard from some of the Texas players themselves. They said that we (the Flames) are a dangerous team and we felt that as well,” Thomas-Smith said. “Everyone came back home with … the idea that we are good enough to compete with these top teams.” 

Shortly after that event the Flames hosted the Old Dominion Monarchs on Feb. 1 and the Georgia State Panthers on Feb. 5. The Flames defeated the Monarchs (4-3) and the Panthers (6-1), leaving Liberty undefeated at home in Crosswhite Athletic Club this season.

However, the Flames have now played their last match at the Crosswhite Athletic Club. On Feb. 12, Liberty and the tennis program will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony to open up the new Liberty Indoor Tennis Center. 

The 48,000-square-foot facility will be the home for the men’s and women’s tennis programs and will include six tennis courts and stands for about 100 spectators. In addition, the facility will host the 2021 ASUN Men’s and Women’s Tennis Championships.

“I think all of the guys are really excited and looking forward to it,” Muamba said, referring to the new facility. “We see it every day and we really can’t wait to be able to play in it.”

The men’s program will first play in the new facility Feb. 13 when Liberty hosts the William & Mary Tribe.

Emmanuel Adamson is a Social Media Manager. Follow him on Twitter @Eadamson12.