First-year netter happy to help

Eventually, perseverance will pay off. \nJust because he does not always receive playing time, freshman Reid Strand does not feel sorry for himself. Instead, he keeps his head high and helps the IU men's tennis team (6-12, 0-6) in any way he can. \nBut Strand's role is slightly different than most players. Some players receive lots of playing time, some receive minimal time and some receive none at all. Strand receives partial playing time in his usual doubles position. \nStrand, who has only participated in two singles matches this spring, mainly plays doubles, but that doesn't deter him from being an integral part of the team. He owns a 6-13 record in doubles this year, including a 6-10 mark this spring. \n"He moves around the net," coach Ken Hydinger said. "He is able to volley well, that is his biggest ability. He has a solid serve and can move in on the net after it."\nLately, Strand has been playing doubles with senior Rahman Smiley. They were victorious 8-6 last weekend against Wisconsin at the No. 3 position, while dropping their match against No. 20 Minnesota. \nStrand has learned a lot from playing with Smiley and Hydinger said Strand respects Smiley a great deal and listens to him on the court. He said it has been an up and down year between them. \nFor instance in one match, the pair could play well together and the next they won't have have the same chemistry. But despite the hot and cold playing styles, Strand values his minimal role on the team, because he knows the doubles point could make the difference between victory and defeat.\n"It (doubles point) is really important. It allows us to start on the right foot," Strand said. "In the 4-3 matches, the doubles point is really big."\nIU has lost two one-point matches this spring. In both of those, they not only failed to win the doubles point in each of them, they failed to win one doubles match out of six. The Hoosiers have been playing better in doubles as of late and Strand is one reason why. While playing with Smiley, he has paired with freshmen Jakub Praibis for a majority of the season. The duo has a record of 5-6 this year. \nStrand, who has played in seven singles matches this year and has gone 3-4, hails from Corpus Christi, Texas. He attended Flour Bluff High School and said his decision to attend IU was based on the fact that he enjoys change and new experiences. \n"I wanted to go to a school where I could receive a quality education and IU's business school is outstanding," Strand said. "I wanted to play really competitive tennis at a school with a great sports tradition. IU's sports tradition speaks for itself."\nStrand said he considered attending Princeton, Texas, and Southern Methodist, but ultimately chose to be a Hoosier.\nDespite not being a regular competitor on the court, Strand receives high praise from his other teammates. \n"Reid plays doubles the right way," Ari Widlansky said. "He has great hands. He knows what's happening on the court and plays well with a partner. He just looks comfortable on the court. He just wants to win." \nStrand is familiar with playing successful tennis as he practiced it in prep. He won the Texas High School State Championship in his senior year last year. Strand said winning the title was very special and it was always a dream of his to win a championship.\nBut Hydinger understands the difference in college and high school play.\n"It's nice, but it's a whole new ball game in college," Hydinger said. "Winning in high school really doesn't mean that much here." \nOne day, Strand expects to help the team in singles. With all the injuries the team has been experiencing this season that day could possibly come this year, although it would take a large amount of luck. \n"No one expects anything out of us," Strand said. "We can do well at the Big Ten Championships and hopefully I can help."\nMaybe Strand will be slotted in singles, if not; he will certainly be in the doubles line-up.