Utah Tech University’s student-led Tennis Club is reaching out to students who want to feel the excitement of competitions, be a part of an energetic team and find a new hobby.
Utah Tech Tennis Club was created two years ago to give students the opportunity to play tennis at all levels and help them find friends.
“I guess [the] number one thing is being involved, being aware of what kind of community you are part of, and also making friends, find[ing] fellow people from their fellow majors, minors programs, and just be[ing] united under common passion for tennis,” Andrew Romanchenko, a junior art major from Krasnoyarsk, Russia, and president of the club, said.
Utah Tech Tennis Club has practice Monday and Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. The practices are free for members and students who want to join the club. The location of practices is the Utah Tech tennis courts.
The important thing that distinguishes the Utah Tech Tennis Club from the university tennis team is that both men and women can be a part of the club.
“Everybody is welcome regardless of their level or anything else,” Romanchenko said. “You can show up one time a week, two times a week, so you have more freedom at that point.”
For the new members who do not have a racket, the club can provide one.
Utah Tech students who joined the club this academic year share their passion for tennis and the opportunities they have in the tennis club.
“I wanted to play club rather than the team because I wanted to play for fun, not to compete seriously,” said Anuhea Alefosio, a freshman general studies major from Los Angeles. “My favorite things [about the club is] definitely the people I play with.”
Another student who joined the club this academic year is Annalese Andersen, a senior design major from Logan.
“I chose the club because it is for all levels of tennis,” Andersen said. “The club has a super fun and uplifting vibe, and everyone is so nice.”
Utah Tech Tennis Club also visits tournaments and stays connected with tennis clubs at other universities.
“I am kind of proud that it’s [club] not different from the actual team and we can just go and travel and play against other schools as well, because they got their own clubs too,” Romanchenko said.
The funding to travel comes from Utah Tech University to the balance of the club, to support the club in being active in events and volunteering.
The club competed in a tournament against Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Sept. 27-28, and against the University of Arizona club tennis team in Tucson, Nov. 8-9.
During the tournaments, the team showed their strength, united with teammates and gained experience.
Already having experience with participating in tournaments and raising the team’s strength, Romanchenko puts his attention on improving the club and its future.
“We are trying to meet certain requirements to become a better, bigger club with more members, more people involved,” Romanchenko said. “And who knows, maybe one day we will be like our Pickleball [Club] team and golden nationals, and let everybody know that Utah Tech Tennis Team [club] is the greatest.”
Students who want to join the club can look up the Utah Tech Tennis Club Instagram profile, where they will find information about meetings and the link to join the club. The Instagram profile is also the connection with the president of the club, who will help students join.
“I think our team is great [and] I absolutely love everybody and each of them [members],” Romanchenko said. “I am happy to be president of this club this year, and I think we are making progress.”
