By Melissa Wallace '11
He's an athlete that is driven by his will to succeed. His dedication and commitment prove him to be a vital asset on both an individual note and as a member of a team. He is ambitious and talented, with a heart succumbed to the sport of tennis. And his passion lies in the team ambiance that has helped establish him as the prestigious tennis player he is today.
Daniel Lee (Abington PA/Abington), in just his second year, has seen momentous success as a member of The College of New Jersey's men's tennis team. Lee boasts an impressive overall record with 25 wins and just 5 losses in singles play and 23 wins and 10 losses in doubles. This season, he continues to flourish, encompassing an impressive season record of 11 wins and 2 losses in singles play and 10 wins and 3 losses in doubles thus far.
The sophomore will get a chance to improve on both of those totals this weekend as the team plays a pair of matches at Hobart College taking on the host Statesmen and St. Lawrence University.
Lee says that the leading factor in his success has been the amount of time he puts into the sport, spending his winters playing and competing in tennis and his summers working out at the gym.
“I'm always training to get better because I've got to rise to the occasion each year,” said Lee, “The competition just gets tougher.”
Lee has seen great success playing in the last position for his team in both singles and doubles. In terms of player position during a game, it doesn't matter where the player is because each counts for the same amount of points.
“A win's a win, no matter where you're playing,” said Lee, “I guess for the team's sake I contribute and really help out the team by playing in the last position.”
Head coach Scott Dicheck maintains the belief that it is Lee's hard work and competitive edge that has had a profound impact on his success within the tennis program.
“When he is out there you can see that he really stays focused on each and every point,” said Dicheck, “He's just a great competitor.”
Lee has aspirations to eventually play higher in position, but says that as long as he is competing in college and continues to remain a part of a team, he is happy. He also has hopes that the team will make it to nationals and will perform well there.
“It would be a huge goal for us to make that final eight,” said Lee. Last year the men's tennis team took 32nd. This season the team has a record of 4-3, but all three losses have come by one point and two of them to nationally-ranked opponents.
Dicheck believes that Lee's game has developed over the past two years and that he has become a much better doubles player, two factors contributing greatly to his overall success. Dicheck says that Lee is very good at communicating with his partner in doubles, a quality that has also contributed immensely to his success. Lee has enjoyed the most success this season in doubles paired with Jonathan Yu (Hamilton Square, NJ/Steinert) as the duo has compiled a 7-1 record.
In terms of singles, Lee has not only progressed, but he has also improved at playing the different styles, providing him with an advantage over the other competitors.
And with his clear love of the sport, sheer determination to compete and win, and considerable dedication and commitment to the team, Lee's success should continue, with little holding him back.
