The Baldwin Wallace men’s tennis program is always finding new ways to improve and succeed. Over the past few years, the team has strengthened its roster by attracting and securing new talent.  

“The light is definitely on now from a team perspective, and it’s starting to glow a little brighter with these freshmen coming in,” Head Coach Brian Rector said.  

Rector explained that recruiting new players is “more of an art than a science,” and that he is sure to communicate to potential players that the main priority at BW is academics. BW players maintain a balance between academics and athletics, which helps optimize their opportunities for success both in the classroom and on the court.  

Rector said that he takes an extensive approach to recruiting, using tennis recruiting platforms, high school coaches, BW tennis alumni and the transfer portal to find potential players. 

Rector’s successful strategy speaks for itself, as the team grew by ten players from 2021 to 2024. Both Rector and the team view this growth as crucial to their long-term success.  

“It’s huge for the kids to come in and see the competition around them… see other kids on the team and how we can learn from each other,” Will Horvath, men’s tennis team captain, said. 

Horvath also feels good about the team’s chemistry, sharing that the players are close friends off the court.  

“You want to improve individually so you can help out your team,” Horvath said.  

Rector agreed, adding that player improvement is a top priority.  

The future looks bright for BW men’s tennis. As the program continues to grow, the team remains committed to improvement, recruiting players from multiple outlets and fostering a supportive environment that balances academics and athletics.