WEST HARTFORD, Conn. - The Hartford men's tennis team will enter its first traditional season competition in ten years when they hit the courts in Spring. The Hawks went 0-3 in the fall season, however there is a growing excitement with the team ahead of spring especially after the announcement of a new facility coming to campus in Fall of 2026. 

BACK & READY TO COMPETE
Head coach Jeff Splinter is the leader of the men's tennis program which saw a 10-year absence from competition. Splinter comes to Hartford from Frostburg State, where he was the head men's and women's tennis coach. Over his time at Frostburg State, Jeff climbed the coaching ranks serving as a graduate assistant coach for both tennis programs for the 2017-18 season before being elevated to the interim head tennis coach for the 2018-19 season and eventually earning the head coach title for both programs.

"We have had a month now of practice indoors and the guys feel prepared and ready. We have gotten a lot of match play scenario and our guys learned a lot from the three matches in the fall. Putting into practice those losses and how we were able succeed in some points in those matches, have us gearing up for our first conference season. We are not expecting to be a powerhouse, but we are looking to compete on the court, in the classroom and the weight room."

Sophomore Jake Short (Poughquag, N.Y.) was named a captain of the team heading into his sophomore season after leading the Hawks last year in the club season.

"My goal as captain is to hold my teammates accountable, being there for when they need me and extending myself if I have to or if they need me too. I just want accountability this year and for everyone to try their hardest, whether that is in practice, in competition and academics as well."

Sophomore Anthony Pomares (Norwich, N.Y.) is also going to be a Hawk to watch entering his second year with the program.

"We are just really excited to get out there after fall. We had three matches, which kinda gave us a taste of it, but we are all really excited to dig into the season. My expectations for this year is to just be good competitors out there and give everyone a run for their money."

SEASON OUTLOOK
The Hawks have 15 matches scheduled for the spring semester kicking off the year on March 7th against UMass Boston at 5:30 PM in Manchester, Connecticut at the Magic Liner Academy. The Conference of New England (CNE) schedule starts on the 8th of March against Colby-Sawyer at 10:00 AM at the Magic Liner Academy. Other key matches include on March 25th at the University of Saint Joseph and on March 28th at the University of New England. 

All match information can be found on the team schedule page.

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