It is hard to believe that the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga men's tennis spring season gets underway this weekend, but that is the case for head coach Chuck Merzbacher, senior Turner Voges and the rest of the Mocs.

Coach Merzbacher and Voges both took time out of their practice schedules to join this week's edition of the Mocs on the Mic podcast, presented by SmartBank.  UTC opens the 2021 campaign at Clemson on Saturday, Jan. 16. 

"I think last year we were 12-6 when things stopped, and I really believe we are a better team than we were last year," opened Merzbacher when asked about the upcoming season. "I thought last year we had a chance to compete for the conference championship, so I think that is where we are at right now."

Voges is taking advantage of the COVID waiver from the spring that gave him an extra season.  He is currently finishing his Master's Degree in Business Administration and is one of the leaders on this year's team.

"We have made it as normal as possible," added Voges when asked about the changes in place due to COVID-19.  "Our workouts were a little different.  We did them in the fall, all outside on the court.  Our strength coach, Tyler, did a great job getting us ready.  He would bring some bands and some weights and we still had great workouts. Practices, we have been lucky with some really good weather outside.

"It is just mainly being a little safer off the court.  In the locker room with the mask and taking care of yourself on the weekend and trying to stay focused on what is important … playing the matches and making small sacrifices so the team is able to play.  Traveling is a little weird, you have to wear the mask in the van, but it is not too bad." 

Check out more on what's ahead for the men's tennis team by tuning in on most Podcasting services, including Spotify, Apple and GoMocs.com/Podcasts. Be sure to rate the podcast and leave a review to help us spread the word about Mocs on the Mic.