Netters expect ‘no easy matches’ in Honiara

The CNMI National Tennis Team is treating the absence of their top players in the 2023 Pacific Games in Honiara, Solomon Islands as both a blessing and a curse.

“Although we were all hoping for the return of the other Colin (the triple gold medalist Colin Sinclair) and our doubles specialist Robbie Schorr, we have a team that has been working hard to fill the shoes of our star players. It is not an easy task, but I believe I speak for the team when I say we don’t feel the pressure of what is expected of us,” said national tennis coach Colin Ramsey.

Aside from Ramsey, who is playing coach, the rest of the CNMI National Tennis Team for the 2023 Pacific Games are Moris Villanueva, June Yu, and Nason Wessel.

“We have talent, we have drive, and we have some younger players who are eager for the challenge of a larger competition. Moris and I will make strategic decisions on who plays No. 1 or No. 2, June is our No. 3 and Nason at No. 4.”

While he doesn’t want to make any promises, Ramsey said what everyone can expect from the team is that they will play their best every time they step onto the court.

“As far as what we can accomplish, I genuinely don’t know. I think flying to the Solomon Islands with the ‘hope’ of winning is the wrong approach. We expect no easy matches. It will be fierce battle after battle from Day 1. I think it’s reasonable to assume that our best chance of medaling will be in the team competition and the doubles.”

Ramsey added that all four of them also have one thing in common, which is their affinity for net play.

“It takes an aggressive mindset and if properly executed, yields high results. I absolutely love serving and volleying, cutting out long baseline battles by rushing to the net and being controlling from the first ball. I could talk all day about strategy, but at the end of the day, we will have to adapt and use different tactics if we’re going to win. Our team has a nice balance of attributes to work with, but watch for the aggressive net play; that may be one of our keys to success in the 2023 Pacific Games.”

Villanueva, meanwhile, is looking forward to playing tough matches against the region’s best in Honiara.

“Personally, I’d like to play as many matches possible. I am looking forward to learning from other players and see how I can implement some aspects of their game into my own. My expectation for the team is to also win as many matches as possible by learning from one another,” said the 24-year-old Topnotch assistant manager.

Wessel said his inclusion in the CNMI National Tennis Team is the greatest achievement of his young tennis career.

“It’s an honor to make the team and my expectations are for all of us to do good because we have chemistry with each other, especially with me and June,” said the 14-year-old student of Kagman High School.

Yu, for his part, echoed what Ramsey said, “My expectations is to do my best and play what my coach and teammates want me to play,” said the 15-year-old student from Mt. Carmel School.