Michael Duquette could have been frustrated. He could have been discouraged. He could have given up.
But after struggling through a tough 2000 season, the Virginia men's tennis player didn't give in. He kept on going and worked hard in the offseason, and this year, he has turned things around.
Duquette has "come an incredibly long way in the past 12 months," Virginia coach Dick Stockton said. "He's a completely different player now. I'm very pleased with the progress he has made."
Because of the team's injury problems last year, Duquette was thrown suddenly into the grueling scene of college tennis mid-season, when inexperience and intimidation plagued the freshman. At the No. 6 singles spot, he finished with a mediocre record of 5-12 overall, 1-3 in the ACC.
It's a different story this year, however. Even though Duquette, a sophomore, still finds himself as the youngest player in Virginia's lineup, last season's struggles are nonexistent. Duquette's impressive play in the fall earned him the No. 4 singles spot, where he has compiled an overall record of 11-12, 2-4 ACC so far. And with two match-winning victories against William & Mary and Clemson, he also has proven to be a crucial factor for the Cavaliers.
"I love having him on the team," Stockton said. "He's a great athlete and is very fast. His improvements show his terrific heart and attitude. He's played some excellent tennis lately."
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