Athletics

Writing History

N Our Voice by Calvin Mueller

Writing HistoryMac Johnson

When I arrived in Lincoln in 2021, the Nebraska tennis program was in a bit of a ‘rebuilding’ phase.

We were searching for an identity and really trying to define the culture we wanted to establish here.

Under the guidance of our coaches, things have turned around over the last few years.

And I’ve had a front-row seat to the program’s transformation. 

This weekend, we’re becoming the third team in school history to compete at the NCAA tournament. 

It’s been 13 years since the men’s tennis team competed at Nationals.

Coming back to this event has been a goal for this team since I stepped foot on campus, and now we've finally made it.

It feels like the culmination of a long and hard journey.

A culmination of all the highs and lows.

Representing Nebraska one last time at the NCAAs is a moment I’ll cherish forever.

A Lifelong Passion for Tennis

I was introduced to tennis at a young age.

My parents played the sport, and my dad was a coach, so I was always around the court as a kid. 

Even though I tried playing other sports, tennis remained the one constant in my life.

Naturally, my parents were instrumental in developing my love and passion for tennis, but I’m most appreciative for how they never forced anything on me. 

They let me find it my own way.

As a teenager, I knew I wanted to pursue tennis at the college level. But when COVID happened, I was almost left without a school.

Luckily, I had a practice session with a top-50 ATP player, and his coach asked me about my future plans. He'd been impressed by my game and was eager to help me out. 

I explained my situation, and he told me he’d make some calls.

That night, I received an email from a DI school on the West Coast.

While it ultimately didn’t work out with them, they connected me with Nebraska.

Then, a good friend of mine, Lars Johann, helped convince me to make Lincoln my new home.

Even though I wasn’t able to visit Nebraska because of COVID, I trusted Lars. He and I shared the same vision for what we wanted to accomplish together in Lincoln.

It was a special moment when I officially committed and became a Husker. 

I was excited to start this new chapter in my life.

A Winning Season

Like I said, the program has gone through a transition period throughout my career here. But it's safe to say we've finally found our footing.

Coach Peter Kobelt pushes us every day. He never lets us get comfortable and always challenges us to improve.

I’ve learned so much from him, not just about tennis, but also about life. Like the rest of the team, I’ve become a tougher, more disciplined player, and I owe a lot of that to him.

This season, we’ve had one of the best finishes in program history, and it’s been an incredible journey to be a part of.

If I had to pick one moment as my favorite of the season, it would definitely be when we beat USC.

They have a prestigious tennis program and were ranked around 25th in the country at the time.

It was a huge confidence boost for us, and it played a big role in our qualifying for the NCAA tournament.

My teammate, Joan, clinched the match for us, and it was a massive moment that I’ll remember for a long time.

As we prepare to head to College Station to take on Baylor in the first round of the NCAA tournament, I’m filled with excitement.

We played Baylor earlier this year and lost a close match, but we were right there.

We will do everything in our power to get our revenge this Saturday.

A Foundation For the Future

We just headed down to Texas a few days ago to focus on the big match.

Every day, we show up with purpose and give it our all.

The margins at this level of tennis are incredibly small, so we know we have to stay sharp and locked in every time we set foot on the court.

We’re focused on making the most of this opportunity, and I know I’m speaking on behalf of the entire team — we can’t wait to represent Nebraska at the NCAAs this weekend.

To Husker Nation, I want to say: Keep an eye on the men’s tennis program.

Although this will be my last tournament as a Husker, I can confidently say that we’ve built a great foundation for this program, and there’s something special on the horizon.

It would be awesome to build upon this season and introduce more fans to this amazing sport and team — I know the guys appreciate everyone’s support as much as I have. 

But for now, let’s get ready for this historic moment for our program.

Go Big Red!