Coach Darrin Schenck looks at neither the score sheets nor the brackets. All he does is coach, for it will directly affect where his racquetball club will place.
To his pleasant surprise, Schenck’s mentality preceded him and his club. Schenck said his club had another really good showing at the 40th National Collegiate Championships. The championships were from Tuesday, March 27 to Saturday, March 31.
The women’s team placed 3rd overall while the men’s team placed 9th. Collectively, the Sun Devils finished 7th in a field of 38 teams.
“They exceeded my expectations,” Schenck said about his team.
The championships were hosted by Arizona State University; the event has been hosted back-to-back at ASU, a first in the event’s 40 years.
Schenck said from a selfish standpoint it’s an advantage. The team gets to wake up in their own beds and carry out their daily routines. As for other teams and given some have time differences from coast to coast, they are more shaken-up.
But Schenck doesn’t see the advantage as a game changer. Yes, the familiarity of the court and how they regularly go about their days helps but the strong field of competitors compensated with their skills.
“It’s pretty tough for sure,” said freshman Michael Tersigni, a player for the Cincinnati Bearcats. “I’m a D6 and that’s even tough.”
Division 6 is the lowest for competition levels for singles; Division 1 is the highest level of completion for singles. Doubles is from a 1-3 scale. ASU women’s team medaled in every single and doubles competition they were entered in.
Regardless of Tersigni’s standing, he still loved the venue. He said that it was great for how big the tournament was over the four days.
So did Army’s Harrison Tyler, a junior at the university. Tyler said that it was a blast but not for just the venue, but the steep competition.
“It’s an absolute blast,” Tyler said. “You’re looking at some of the best competition you can see.”
To get ready for this competition, Schenck needed to prepare his team. He usually has a pre-tourney ritual with his team.
“I’m a big believer in preparation for anything,” Schenck said. “Anything you can do to prepare will do you well.”
So, Schenck went over a sort of syllabus with his team. He wanted them to play like it was their job, not the leisure of it (if there even is any in the sport).
Schenck does this because he knows that no win will come easy and no win is totally one-sided. Because of this, he is there to keep his team in the same gear from start to finish.
“I tell my team ‘you’re not winning, you’re just temporarily ahead,” Schenck said.
As for now, the team will be looking ahead to permanently make a name for themselves — even when things change.
This year, yes, playing at home for a national championship was ideal, but this is subject to change for next year. Schenck said rumor has it that the tournament will be in Fullerton, Calif., but it is uncertain.
ASU might not have the “advantage,” but like other teams, will look to make up for it in skill. This is where preparation comes in.
Anything cool? E-mail me at bcapria@asu.edu.
