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Houston Barrick is a sophomore member of the top-ranked Virginia men’s tennis team. VirginiaSports.com caught up with the Brentwood, Tenn. native to discuss the success of the team this season a preview this weekend’s matches with Miami and Florida State.
Question: The team returns home for the first time in almost a month this weekend to host Miami and Florida State and those will likely be the first outdoor home matches at the Snyder Tennis Center. What are the team’s thoughts heading into the weekend?
Barrick: These are big matches. Miami and Florida State are both really good teams and we had battles with them last year down there. We are ready. We had a long road trip last week and we are excited to be at home this week.
Question: You weren’t here two years ago when Miami won at Snyder, the last team to beat UVa in Charlottesville. How much have the older guys reminded the team about that this week?
Barrick: There is always some anticipation to play a team that beat you at home. It kind of burns you a little inside and you look forward to getting another chance to play them.
Question: The team remains undefeated and ranked No. 1 in the country. How have you been able to keep the momentum going?
Barrick: We just look at each match coming up, one at a time. We aren’t going to take anyone for granted. The ACC is such a strong conference and we know every team is going to bring its “A” game against us. We are No. 1 and we have a big bulls eye on us because of that.
Question: You are 13-2 in dual match singles play this season and have won your last seven matches. What has been the key to that success?
Barrick: It is just the practice. (Coaches) Tony (Bresky) and Brian (Boland) and I have been working so hard, on and off the court, conditioning, everything, to get better. All of these matches are tough. I had a tough one last week against Clemson when I wasn’t playing my best. I found a way to win and that has been a big difference this year, winning on days when you don’t play your best.
Question: You recently moved into the singles rankings at No. 125. How excited are you to have that number in front of your name?
Barrick: That was exciting. I was the last guy ranked, but a ranking is a ranking, so I’ll take it.
Question: When you look at the bottom half of the lineup this season, in addition to you having a 13-2 singles record, there is Sanam Singh and Ted Angelinos who are both undefeated in dual matches, along with Michael Shabaz and Lee Singer. What does that depth say about this team?
Barrick: It really helps. If someone is having a bad day or needs a rest, we can put someone else in there. Lee played a great match at No. 6 against Clemson last week. We are so deep that someone can be off and it doesn’t really matter. Teams basically have to be eight deep to go up against us and that’s tough.