Seven straight wins have positioned men’s tennis exactly where it wants to be entering the most important stretch of its season.
The Red sits at 13-3 overall, unbeaten in dual matches at both home and away sites, with its only two losses coming at neutral venues. Now, with Ivy League play looming, Cornell’s recent surge has transformed a strong start into a statement.
“Overall, I’m really encouraged by where the group is right now,” head coach Silviu Tanasoiu wrote in a statement to The Sun. “We’ve shown a lot of growth in our competitiveness and our ability to stay engaged in tough moments. The guys are starting to understand what it actually takes to compete at a high level consistently, not just in flashes.”
After opening the spring 6-2, the Red has rattled off seven consecutive victories, highlighted by a dominant stretch at the Reiss Tennis Center, its home court. The squad defeated University of Tulsa, No. 59 University of Memphis and No. 43 Middle Tennessee by scores of 4-2, 4-0 and 4-0, respectively, before adding road wins over Virginia Commonwealth University and Old Dominion University, both by 4-1 margins. Cornell also earned a 4-2 win over Penn at a neutral-site alumni event in the Bronx.
Cornell has dropped just two individual matches at home all season, underscoring its dominance in Ithaca.
The results reflect a team finding consistency while building chemistry and trust.
Junior Eric Verdes, the number two singles player and number one doubles player for the Red, said the team’s togetherness has been a driving force behind its success.
“Our team is very close off the court, and I think that makes a difference on the court,” Verdes wrote in a statement to The Sun. “We spend a lot of time together, and since the start of the first semester, the different situations we’ve faced have helped us build trust in one another.”
Verdes also pointed to the role of the coaching staff.
“The unconditional support and belief from our coaching staff have been extraordinary,” he wrote. “At the core of it all, our hard work and shared focus on a common goal have helped us improve every day.”
Tanasoiu credited the team’s success to its “commitment to standards,” along with its energy and ability to support one another in key moments.
Still, with Ivy League competition approaching, the 14-year head coach believes that the group has not yet reached its ceiling.
“At the same time, we’re not where we need to be yet,” Tanasoiu wrote. “We have to continue improving in executing under pressure — especially in big moments. That comes down to discipline, clarity, and trusting our patterns when it matters most.”
That next test has already begun. Cornell opened Ivy play with a split on the road, falling 4-2 to Yale on April 4 before bouncing back with a 4-1 win over Brown the following day.
“I’m excited,” Tanasoiu wrote. “This is what we prepare for. The margin is going to be very small, and it’s going to come down to who can stay the most composed, the most connected, and the most committed to their identity.”
Verdes stated that the Ivy contests carry added meaning.
“I think our conference matches are a great opportunity to test our identity again and build on everything we’ve worked on so far,” Verdes wrote. “Everyone is excited and ready to compete. It’s going to be a great test for all of us, and I’m grateful for the opportunity ahead and for the chance to do this with my team.”
Coming off a commanding 4-0 win over No. 43 Middle Tennessee on March 22, the Red carried that momentum into conference play, responding to its loss against Yale with a strong performance against Brown. Their road stretch will conclude in Princeton, where the Red will face the Tigers at 2 p.m. on April 10.
“We’re not chasing results — we’re focused on becoming the team we believe we can be,” Tanasoiu wrote. “If we do that well, the results will take care of themselves.”
Austin Curtis is a freshman in the College of Arts and Sciences. He is a Sun Staff Writer and can be reached at acurtis@cornellsun.com.
