ORLANDO, Fla. – 17-2 record. 13-0 at home. Ranked No. 12 in the country.
The UCF men’s tennis team has had an impressive season, but what’s most impressive is the assimilation of players.
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Only one American is on the roster. The rest of the team consists of players from France, England, Brazil, Lebanon and Morocco.
“It’s been amazing,” said senior Luca Hotze from Miami, Fla. “ I’m with all these international guys. I learn a lot of different cultures.”
Some players like seniors Yassine Dlimi and Mehdi Benchakroun grew up playing together in Morocco. Now, they’re teammates at UCF.
“We all get along very well,” said Benchakroun. “We all love each other. We’re all brothers here.”
The players expressed how they have grown to appreciate all the different backgrounds on the team, even visiting the different countries represented.
“It makes us also understand how everyone works and how everyone lives,” said senior Paul Colin from France. “I think it opens your mind.”
The Knights are preparing for a huge weekend: a road trip to No. 5 TCU and No. 8 Baylor. Even being ranked No. 12 right now, UCF doesn’t want to settle for the past accolades of this season.
“We’ve come from 60 or so in the country in the last two and a half years to where we are now,” said head coach Lloyd Bruce-Burgess from England. “There is a lot of achievements, but we’re trying to do some really special things. Getting ahead of ourselves is going to be the downfall.”
UCF was runner-up in the Big 12 Conference last year and lost in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. With so many seniors on the team, Colin knows this is a final shot for legacy.
“It’s our last dance, so we’re ready to give it all.”
The Big 12 Conference tournament will be hosted this year by UCF at the USTA National Campus in Lake Nona. Matches start April 16.