By Evan Millstein, SDA Student Assistant
The Arizona State men's tennis team and coach Matt Hill announced Michael Geerts as captain for the 2017-18 season. Benjamin Hannestad and Thomas Wright will serve as assistant captains.
Coach Hill has never had three captains leading a team prior to this season but feels confident moving forward.
"I do think each of them brings something very valuable to the table in a sense that their strengths as a leader are different," said Hill. "Rarely do you have a captain that encompasses all the leadership qualities."
As the only senior on roster for the Sun Devils, Michael Geerts is ready to push the program to new heights. The first-year captain has experience in the professional circuit and has the fall season of college under his belt.
Geerts represented Belgium three times at the Junior Davis Cup ('12,'14,'16) and was ranked 435 in singles worldwide. Coach Hill expressed how integral the process of selecting captains were and saw natural leadership in the fall season.
"He leads by example on how he operates. He's not afraid to speak up to the group, or individually," said Hill. "His message is always well received, not only with his peers but with the staff."
Michael Geerts views Arizona State's athletic department as professional and ambitious. He chose ASU for the program and coaches. Geerts expressed his enthusiasm in taking the responsibility to guide the team to success.
"Pushing each other on practice and in matches will lead to the results we want. Progressing as a team is going be key to achieve those good results," said Geerts. "I expect passion, focus and team spirit from the guys at all times."
The ITA Sourthwest Regional Champion in singles Benjamin Hannestad takes great pride in the trust that the team displayed in voting him in as an assistant captain.
"I have always been a player that gives my all, practices hard and tries to set an example," said Hannestad. "I have never had a legitimate role on a team before due to the individualism of our sport, however I always try to keep the mood up and motivate my fellow training peers to keep pushing their limits."
The freshman strives to be a role model on and off the court through good communication along with good energy and focus. "Many of my teammates and fellow captains do an exceptional job of those things, and we all keep reminding each other of keep seeing the big picture and do the things that will help the teams' success in the future," said Hannestad.
Being Arizona State's first signee since the program was cut in 2008 meant a great deal to Benjamin and wants to build a professional culture.
Coach Hill praises Hannestad for being straight-laced and perfecting small details in his work ethic. Hill believes that leading by example is something that is preached a lot in the program and creates a culture that is designed for players who take tennis seriously as a profession. Hill perceives Benjamin as that leader.
Hannestad is grateful for the opportunity to play with a group of guys that he calls his family. He looks forward to stepping on the court and officially bring back Arizona State University men's tennis.
The outspoken leader of the new squad is assistant captain Thomas Wright. "Thomas is a very vocal, natural team player kind of guy," said Hill. "I think that's something the other guys will look to a lot; just how outspoken and vocal he is. A true competitor, raw and emotional leader."
The two-time national doubles champion in Great Britain is overwhelmed with excitement to represent the Sun Devil family. Wright believes that the opportunities with this year's team is unlimited, especially with a younger squad.
"As captains, we are setting a culture for the program, not just for this year, but for the future of the program. We want to set a culture where everyone is focused and driven by the same goal," said Wright.
Wright understands the responsibility that his role as captain brings and already views his teammates as his brothers. He is most looking forward to playing in front of the home crowd at Whiteman Tennis Center. "It means a lot to each of us that we can create something special here at ASU, and we really want to win those rings," said Wright.
It's clear what coach Matt Hill has brewing in Tempe, a culture of hardworking individuals bonded by a brotherhood. The players and staff voted on captains last season and the results of the voting showed one common theme: unison. The player and staff voting were identical, a "great feeling from a staff point," said Hill.
The Arizona State men's tennis team last faced the Duke Blue Devils in the NCAA Tournament in 2008. They will face them again, this time nine years later on Jan. 13 as the rackets are brought out of the closet for the program's come back season.
The Arizona State men's tennis team and coach Matt Hill announced Michael Geerts as captain for the 2017-18 season. Benjamin Hannestad and Thomas Wright will serve as assistant captains.
Coach Hill has never had three captains leading a team prior to this season but feels confident moving forward.
"I do think each of them brings something very valuable to the table in a sense that their strengths as a leader are different," said Hill. "Rarely do you have a captain that encompasses all the leadership qualities."
As the only senior on roster for the Sun Devils, Michael Geerts is ready to push the program to new heights. The first-year captain has experience in the professional circuit and has the fall season of college under his belt.
Geerts represented Belgium three times at the Junior Davis Cup ('12,'14,'16) and was ranked 435 in singles worldwide. Coach Hill expressed how integral the process of selecting captains were and saw natural leadership in the fall season.
"He leads by example on how he operates. He's not afraid to speak up to the group, or individually," said Hill. "His message is always well received, not only with his peers but with the staff."
Michael Geerts views Arizona State's athletic department as professional and ambitious. He chose ASU for the program and coaches. Geerts expressed his enthusiasm in taking the responsibility to guide the team to success.
"Pushing each other on practice and in matches will lead to the results we want. Progressing as a team is going be key to achieve those good results," said Geerts. "I expect passion, focus and team spirit from the guys at all times."
The ITA Sourthwest Regional Champion in singles Benjamin Hannestad takes great pride in the trust that the team displayed in voting him in as an assistant captain.
"I have always been a player that gives my all, practices hard and tries to set an example," said Hannestad. "I have never had a legitimate role on a team before due to the individualism of our sport, however I always try to keep the mood up and motivate my fellow training peers to keep pushing their limits."
The freshman strives to be a role model on and off the court through good communication along with good energy and focus. "Many of my teammates and fellow captains do an exceptional job of those things, and we all keep reminding each other of keep seeing the big picture and do the things that will help the teams' success in the future," said Hannestad.
Being Arizona State's first signee since the program was cut in 2008 meant a great deal to Benjamin and wants to build a professional culture.
Coach Hill praises Hannestad for being straight-laced and perfecting small details in his work ethic. Hill believes that leading by example is something that is preached a lot in the program and creates a culture that is designed for players who take tennis seriously as a profession. Hill perceives Benjamin as that leader.
Hannestad is grateful for the opportunity to play with a group of guys that he calls his family. He looks forward to stepping on the court and officially bring back Arizona State University men's tennis.
The outspoken leader of the new squad is assistant captain Thomas Wright. "Thomas is a very vocal, natural team player kind of guy," said Hill. "I think that's something the other guys will look to a lot; just how outspoken and vocal he is. A true competitor, raw and emotional leader."
The two-time national doubles champion in Great Britain is overwhelmed with excitement to represent the Sun Devil family. Wright believes that the opportunities with this year's team is unlimited, especially with a younger squad.
"As captains, we are setting a culture for the program, not just for this year, but for the future of the program. We want to set a culture where everyone is focused and driven by the same goal," said Wright.
Wright understands the responsibility that his role as captain brings and already views his teammates as his brothers. He is most looking forward to playing in front of the home crowd at Whiteman Tennis Center. "It means a lot to each of us that we can create something special here at ASU, and we really want to win those rings," said Wright.
It's clear what coach Matt Hill has brewing in Tempe, a culture of hardworking individuals bonded by a brotherhood. The players and staff voted on captains last season and the results of the voting showed one common theme: unison. The player and staff voting were identical, a "great feeling from a staff point," said Hill.
The Arizona State men's tennis team last faced the Duke Blue Devils in the NCAA Tournament in 2008. They will face them again, this time nine years later on Jan. 13 as the rackets are brought out of the closet for the program's come back season.