Q&A with Lee Singer

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This week the top-ranked Virginia men’s tennis team concludes a homestand with five matches at the Snyder Tennis Center. On Wednesday the Cavaliers host in-state rivals VCU (3 p.m.) and Richmond (6 p.m.). This weekend, Virginia hosts Miami at 4 p.m. and on Sunday a doubleheader with Florida State at noon and Delaware at 4 p.m. VirginiaSports.com caught up with senior Lee Singer to discuss the team, this week’s matches and the goals for the remainder of the season.

Question: You are 3-0 in the ACC, but start the heart of the conference season this weekend, with two matches each of the next four weeks. How ready is the team to get into ACC play?

Singer: We are really focused knowing that the stretch run through the ACC is coming up. We have Miami and Florida State this week, who are both really tough teams. Tomorrow’s matches against VCU and Richmond will be another good opportunity to continue to get better and be sharp for the matches this weekend.

Question: You played a strong non-conference schedule and already have five top-10 wins this season. How will that success translate into even greater success as the season moves forward?

Singer: It says a lot about our team. The last two big wins we had were Texas and Baylor, both of which were outdoors. A lot of people may have thought we were just a good indoor team, but those results show that we are good outdoors as well. We just need to take it one match at a time now as we get into the ACC season. We need to take the results we have had, build upon them, and continue to maximize our potential as the season goes along so we are at our best in May.

Question: The team has played a lot of doubleheaders this season, with two more this week, and a few matches with an expanded format with extra matches. How has that schedule improved the depth of this team?

Singer: It helps a lot, even in practice. When you have 14 guys that are as good as what we have in this program that you can hit with every day, it is like world class training facility. These extra matches helps them stay sharp and keep their confidence high. That helps us this year, but will also help next year too because with Houston (Barrick) and I as seniors, a couple of them will be counted upon to climb into the top six.

Question: How does that depth effect you and the other players in the top six, knowing that you need to keep sharp in order to hold on to your place in the lineup?

Singer: I have been in this position for pretty much my whole career here. It is definitely a motivating factor for me. I have been playing well recently. Knowing that there are guys below me on the roster that have a lot of talent and could play in the top six anywhere else in the country really forces me to make sure that I am sharp and playing my best tennis.

Question: As a senior, you are entering the final stretch of your collegiate career. What are your goals for the end of your career?

Singer: Obviously, our main goal is to win an NCAA Championship. We have to take it one step at a time. We have the ACC season coming up and would love to have another undefeated ACC season. Then we have the ACC Tournament, which we want to win again. As long as we are focused and determined and work hard, we can accomplish those things and be in position to accomplish our ultimate goal in the end.