Q & A With Behrend Tennis Head Coach Jeff Barger

What are your thoughts on how your season has started in Hilton Head, S.C.  and where do you feel your team stands now?

I thought for the most part we played pretty well.  We didn't have second singles and doubles player Erkin Nasirli on the trip so that hurt right away.  I moved some guys in and out and gave everyone a chance to play.

Who is performing particularly well for the team right now?

I feel Elliot Blackstone is playing very well for this time of year.  He played some tough matches against some top players on the trip.

What does the AMCC league competition look like this season? 

Penn State Altoona has a whole new team with no starters returning so it is hard to tell about them.  They are usually very good.  Frostburg State has some new guys with a couple of good returners so they will be good as well.  Pitt-Bradford is a new team and I know that their coach has been working hard with them.  Pitt-Greensburg was much improved last year so I look for them to be better.

Has anybody really surprised you with what they brought back from the offseason?

Brad Nagel and Peter Bissert have been pretty steady as well as Jon Henderson.  They have all done well so far this spring.

What is the biggest challenge as your team returns home and prepares for the heart of your schedule?

Getting ready for matches is the biggest challenge.  We play eight matches in the next two weeks.  It doesn't leave a lot of practice time to go over mistakes.  We have a couple of guys with minor injuries that I will be careful with as well.

What are your expectations for the end of the season and into the postseason?

I think we can go on a little winning streak like we did last year.  It gives the guys a good feeling going into the conference tournament.  We need to be at our best that weekend.