For the first since entering the North Atlantic Conference, the Lyndon State College Men’s Tennis team is not going to the playoffs.
A 7-2 loss at Thomas last Saturday sealed the Hornets fate, placing them fifth in the NAC with a 1-4 conference record. The team needed to beat Thomas by at least a score of 6-3 to place in the top-four.
Sophomore Dan Weiner tried to pump the team up by posting a motivational speech on the Lyndon State Hornets Tennis 2011-12 Facebook page, a page which Weiner himself created.
In an attempt to play the role of the underdog, Weiner posted “…we have all intentions of completing a season that may not be looked upon as starting strong, but the dark horses that kept fighting and fighting tooth and nail against our odds.”
Weiner was trying to get the team to realize the importance of the match.
“We needed some kind of emotional speech before we went into the biggest game of our year,” Weiner said.
However, the message was lost upon the team, which caused Weiner to reconsider the way that he delivered it.
“If I had said that during the match, I feel like it would’ve gotten a better response,” Weiner said.
Amidst several disappointing conference losses, Weiner feels that his teammates did not show up to enough matches during the season, which he believes cost the team some important matches.
“I played 11 matches, and we played 11 matches this year,” Weiner said. “There were some guys who played nine, some that played eight, some that played four. You need to have consistency in your lineup.”
As for Weiner, who is returning next season, he might reconsider making any more bold proclamations.
“Can I say anything about the NAC next year? Maybe I should shut my mouth this time,” Weiner said.