“I think they felt a little bit of the moment, but that’s going to happen because they’re freshmen,” Vick said.“I knew if they felt the entire stadium behind them they could turn it on. And man, they did.”
For Vick, a senior who transferred from Ohio State two years ago, Sunday marked his last regular season match at Cone-Kenfield Tennis Center as a Tar Heel.
He wanted to leave everything out on the court, even if he wasn’t the one playing in that match.
That attitude has led Vick to a strong senior season and has defined him since he came from Columbus two years ago.
It’s hard not to hear Vick’s presence on the court. Since his first UNC season, the co-captain has been a vocal leader of a fairly young team.
“I always know how he’s doing just by listening to him,” Murray said. “When he’s doing well and letting us know, it gives me motivation to do better, too.”
While it may be the intangibles that define Vick, he can win his fair share of games as well. Vick has shown that he is a vital part of a team that has doubled its regular season win total from a year ago.
Vick currently holds a 12-4 singles record, including a 6-1 mark in ACC play. In doubles, Vick and partner Oystein Steiro own an 11-5 record, nine of those wins coming at No. 2 doubles.
Sunday, on senior day, Vick came out on top again. He and Steiro handled Clemson’s Alejandro Augusto and Robert Dudley, 8-3. In singles, Vick dominated Brent Lett, winning in straight sets, 6-1, 6-1.
In a ceremony honoring Vick, coach Sam Paul described him as the epitome of a student athlete.
“He comes into work every day and every week since he got here,” Paul said. “I wish I had him for another two years. He’s been one of my favorites.”
sports@dailytarheel.com
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