The Allegheny men’s tennis team has its sights set on one goal — a Presidents’ Athletic Conference championship. Defeating Grove City in the tournament finale a season ago, the Gators are looking to go back-to-back with the spring season upon them.
“I plan to do the same thing I did last year,” said Anton Hedlund, ’25. “Focusing on what coach and the other captain have come up with. Staying dedicated to the goal, which is obviously winning the PAC and making an appearance at the NCAA tournament.”
The Gators are scheduled to play rigorous competition in the early stages of the season. Allegheny opens the season versus No. 1 Case Western Reserve. The Spartans won the NCAA Championship last year.
During the Gators spring trip to Florida, the challenge continues with teams including Saint John’s, Concordia and Spring Arbor on the slate.
The opposition will be fierce, but Allegheny is excited for the opportunity.
“It’s very learning (opportunity) to play great teams like that,” Hedlund said. “They’re doing something that our goal is to do. Winning matches at the national tournament is very learning (opportunity). You can go and observe what they do. Maybe something they do a little bit different than us, something that we can take away.”
Hedlund is the reigning PAC Player of the Year. He earned First Team All-PAC honors in both singles and doubles, and registered four PAC Player of the Week awards a season ago.
In a flurry of success, Hudlund was named a top player for Division III tennis in the Central Region, and won all but six of his matches — four losses stemming from doubles play.
With the abundance of accolades he accumulated last year, the first core item Hedlund attributes to his success are the players around him.
“I think it’s the whole team,” Hedlund said. “We stay as a unit. And then also, focusing on what you can change. You can only focus on what you can do, and leave variables that are not in your power outside of it.”
Growing up in Hovas, Sweden, Hedlund has had a racket in his hands since early childhood. His grandfather taught his father, who passed it down another generation in the family tree.
“My dad was the one who taught me to play tennis ever since I was a little kid,” Hedlund said. “Ever since then I’ve been stuck. I’ve played different sports, team sports, but that really wasn’t for me. I like the individual aspect of tennis, where it’s you against the player on the other side of the net.”
There was always a plan for Hedlund to come to the United States, although he did not know what school he was going to end up at.
For a period of time, he was considering the Division I route. Hedlund realized that was a road that would not best suit him, and his next step was to put a recruiting video out on YouTube.
Former head coach Taylor Coffman struck interest in Hedlund. The two connected, and knowing Allegheny had a high standard of academic performance, the now junior star made his decision.
Allegheny’s second captain this year is William Jarvie, ’25. An All-PAC Second Team selection a season ago, Jarvie is ready to make a big impact on the team this year.
The key is living in the present.
“I just like to take it one day at a time,” Jarvie said. “Focus on my training, recovery, proper nutrition, listen to what coach says and stay on the course of playing every day and focusing every day.”
Working hard in the offseason, Jarvie said he fancies his backhand side and on-court mobility. Leading up to the season, he has put an emphasis on improving his forehand and volleys to become a well-rounded athlete.
Jarvie was poised when discussing where the team could go this year. He attributes a large amount of the success last season to the team chemistry, also saying it has continued to grow.
This is a bunch of Gators that do more than just practice together. They do get extra time on the court with each other, but the guys also regularly bond during chowtime, study sessions and social occasions.
In addition, the team’s mentality should be an asset to the Gators. When discussing his strengths on the court, Jarvie also mentioned Allegheny’s fortitude.
“Mental toughness — I would say most of the guys have improved with as well,” Jarvie said.
During the 2023 campaign, Allegheny advanced to the first round of the NCAA Championship tournament before falling to Christopher Newport 5-1. It was an early exit for the Gators after an exemplary season in PAC play.
It was the first time in program history that a men’s tennis team has made it past the conference championship bracket. One thing is certain for this season, everyone has the same goal in mind.
“We’re looking forward to going hard and competing for a second ring,” Jarvie said. “Coach has made it very clear. After winning the PAC last year, our goal is to become nationally ranked, and then in the NCAA tournament, if we can hopefully get there again, to win a round or more.”