Aside from returning six players from last season’s teamthat finished No. 13 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Associationrankings, the 2004 men’s tennis team will now carry more ofan English flavor this season in hopes of returning to the NCAAtournament.
Sophomore standout Ken Skupski, a native of Liverpool, England,will now be joined by fellow English star Mark Growcott, hailingfrom Kingswinford, England to begin the 2004 fall season.
The two met at the age of 10 while competing in junior tennistournaments in England.
Following a short stint of professional tennis, Skupski electedto come to LSU and compete under head coach Jeff Brown, whileGrowcott headed to Tyler Junior College in Tyler, Texas.
After spending two seasons in Texas, Growcott chose to attendLSU with his friend Skupski.
“[I transferred to LSU] because of the coaches and becauseKen Skupski is one of my best friends from England,” Growcuttsaid.
While Skupski and Growcott normally played against each other inEngland, both were given the opportunity to play together a fewyears ago.
“We played once together in England,” Growcott said.”So technically, we haven’t lost a match togetheryet.”
The duo have already jumped into the scene early, turning intheir first doubles victory earlier this month at the ITA-WilsonSoutheast Regional Championships.
After defeating Florida’s Janne Holmia and Greg Oulette8-5 in the tournament, the two earned a spot in next month’sITA National Indoor Tournament.
“We complemented each other and we won thetournament,” Skupski said. “It’s good for theteam.”
According to Skupski, having an English partner benefits him onand off the court.
“We communicate better,” Skupski said. “Wehave fun in practice in laughing and joking.”
Skupski added that better communication leads to more jokingaround between the two England natives.
“Our humor is a little more dry,” Skupski said.”We make fun of each other, but we’re neverserious.”
Aside from understanding each others jokes, Skupski said the twoare able to compliment each other on the court.
“We both have our own good things,” Skupski said.”We both complement each other.”
For Growcott, its Skupski’s work ethic that makes himselfa better player.
“Ken’s work ethic makes me a lot better,”Growcott said. “That helps me out a lot.”
According to Growcott, the thing he has improved upon the mostsince arriving from Texas is his work ethic.
“I had a lot of trouble working hard in juniorcollege,” Growcott said. “Coming here with Ken andseeing him work hard helps me.”
Skupski added that combining the two in doubles competitionhelps them each feed off each other.
“We keep each other motivated,” Skupski said.”When one of us is going through a bad patch, the other canstep up.”
According to coach Brown, keeping a doubles team motivated andhaving good team chemistry is what a coach looks for.
“I can see the chemistry that they have from playingtogether,” Brown said. “As a coach, you look for thatin your doubles teams. You look for something that’s going tocarry them through the pressure situations.”
And with one tournament win under their belts and another justdown the road, Skupski and Growcott are quickly on their way tosuccess at the collegiate level.
“We said two years ago even before [Growcott] got herethat we will be No. 1 in the nation,” Skupski said. “Idon’t have any doubts about it.”