Texas A&M women’s tennis head coach Mark Weaver graciously granted an interview to Weaver was part of 23 consecutive NCAA tournament appearances, nine rounds of 16, six conference championships, three Elite Eight appearances, and Texas A&M’s first trip to the NCAA Championship, in 2013.
We asked coach Weaver how he assesses the first part of the Aggies’ season.
“Not meeting our expectations, but we are actually playing some very impressive tennis throughout most of our lineup. We need to make some adjustments to the doubles pairings and we will be in a favorable position. We scheduled very competitively and have been on the road quite a bit. Although our record isn’t what we would hope it to be, I truly believe that the challenges we have faced will strengthen us for the future when it truly counts,” he said.
Qualifying for the ITA National Indoor Championships is already a promising starting point. What are your objectives for spring?
“Qualifying for the national indoors is always a difficult accomplishment and we were very pleased with how we performed and advanced. Our goals for the spring are to continually improve. We aim to consistently perform at a high level on a daily basis and ultimately position ourselves to compete for an SEC title and the NCAA championships.”
Daria brings the Aggies one step closer to victory 🫡
👍 2-0 🦉
1⃣Stoiana⬆️ 7-5, 1-0
2⃣Khirin↔️ 6-0, 3-6
3⃣Kupres⬆️ 6-2, 3-1
4⃣Perez⬇️ 5-6
5⃣Smetannikov✅ 6-0, 6-2
6⃣Mireles⬆️ 6-0, 3-2#AggieWT | #GigEm pic.twitter.com/y9ewNQyyfb
Regarding which student-athletes have impressed you the most in the first half of the season, Coach Weaver informed us:
“We believe that all of our players in the lineup are exceptional tennis players and we have high expectations for each of them, so I can’t say that anyone has surprised me or exceeded expectations.”
How crucial is a coach’s experience in maintaining team harmony?
“I believe that having experience as a coach is of utmost importance. There are numerous variables, ups and downs, and challenges that arise for both the student-athletes and the coaching staff throughout the season. It is extremely important for the coach to know how to handle each individual and navigate the team’s day-to-day journey. If you aren’t managing things appropriately behind the scenes, it becomes difficult for the team to stay focused on what truly matters,” Weaver analyzed.
NICOLE SECURES THE VICTORY ‼️‼️
👍 5-0 🦉
1⃣Stoiana⬆️ 7-5, 4-3
2⃣Khirin✅ 6-0, 3-6, 6-1
3⃣Kupres✅ 6-2, 5-4, 6-4
4⃣Perez⬆️ 7-6, 1-1
5⃣Smetannikov✅ 6-0, 6-2
6⃣Mireles✅ 6-0, 6-3#AggieWT | #GigEm pic.twitter.com/xpUMMiWG3L
What are the areas in which your team can improve in the upcoming months?
“We need to enhance our doubles skills a little. We are competing against the top teams in the country, and often, the outcome is determined by just one or two points. Being confident and knowing exactly what to do in pressure situations is crucial.”
When it comes to mental health, coach Weaver provided an explanation:
“We often discuss routines and breathing techniques. There is no magical solution. You just need to find a method that works for you and stick to it.”
According to the Source tennisworldusa.org