Emery leads JMU tennis into 2005

The JMU men’s tennis team opened its spring season this weekend at Colonial Athletic Association conference opponent, Virginia Commonwealth University. The young lineup lost all five matches to powerhouse VCU.

"VCU is a tough team," JMU coach Steve Secord said. "But I was impressed with the effort from our guys."

In other competition this weekend, the Dukes picked up one win in singles play from senior David Emery in five total matches against East Carolina University while sweeping the Drexel University Dragons in all five matches.

Emery transferred to JMU in the spring of 2004 from Virginia Tech to take the leading role on the team. He quickly brought a strong performance to the court for the Dukes winning fourteen matches with just nine losses.

"I was on a scholarship over there while I was playing the number five and six spots," Emery said. "Sometimes I wasn’t even in the lineup, and because of them having scholarships, they have a tougher schedule.

"But that is in no way putting down this team. It’s just the way it works when you compare scholarship to non-scholarship teams."

The addition of Emery has given JMU a more positive approach to the season but there are still a few glitches in trying to put together their best lineup possible.

"Our season should be more difficult this year," Secord said. "We’ve lost our No.2 guy, junior John Snead, to an injury to his right shoulder, our No. 3 and No. 5 players graduated, and our No. 4 was an exchange student."

Emery said, "Our team is pretty young right now, so that will be tough. However, I’m the only senior on the team, so I think with the guys we have now, next year will be a great year."

Emery doesn’t want to leave his team without capitalizing on his senior season while setting the goal of making the all CAA first team.

"Being the No. 1 player, the only senior and the captain has its pluses and minuses.

"I think that sometimes the pressure is nice, and it’s a good feeling to have some of the younger guys look to you for advice and leadership. But I know when we play, the guys expect me to go out and perform at a level I sometimes might not bring to the table."

Secord said, "Having a player like Dave is great. He’s not on a scholarship anymore, and can still go out and win against anyone." Emery is no longer getting money to play tennis but still finds a drive to win and help his club become better.

"I think playing for a school such as Virginia Tech always puts you on the bubble where you never know if the coach will play you," Secord said. "And I think playing at JMU gives Dave more of a relief to get out there and just do his thing."

Emery is joined on the team by up-and-coming key players freshmen Jesse Tarr and Carlin Campbell. Tarr joined Emery in doubles play this year, while picking up a big win at the University of Virginia last semester.

"Campbell has a lot of natural talent and needs to believe in himself while minimizing errors," Secord said. Campbell picked up his first win on the season last weekend in doubles play against Drexel along side sophomore Brian Clay.

The Dukes face George Washington University next on Jan. 28 in Montclair.