For Head Coach Brian Kalbas and North Carolina women's tennis, everything has always been about the team.
This weekend, UNC and Duke hosted 12 other schools in the 13th annual Kitty Harrison Invitational at Cone-Kenfield Tennis Center. The preseason tournament allowed players like redshirt senior Rachael James-Baker and junior Cassandra Vazquez a chance to be in the spotlight while Kalbas — along with senior Hayley Carter, first-year Sara Daavettila and sophomore Jessie Aney — were in New York at the ITA National Indoor Intercollegiate Championships.
Volunteer assistant coach Jacob Spreyer took over coaching responsibilities, borrowing a few notes from Kalbas' playbook. Spreyer, who's in his first year, focused on keeping the Tar Heels loose while giving constructive advice.
“I think it is a little unique for me as I’m a little closer to them in age,” Spreyer said. “They can view me a little more as a peer. This weekend we are trying to keep our energy up, boost the team’s spirit and stay positive throughout matches.”
The Tar Heels were consistent through the weekend. James-Baker and Vazquez ended their play with two singles victories Sunday after two singles losses Saturday.
“This is a really great team top to bottom …” James-Baker said. “You take our whole team and we can all play any position. Everyone (could) go to a different school and play one and two in the lineup.”
But there is plenty of room for improvement — namely, North Carolina is focused on materializing team chemistry.
“The fall is definitely the time to cultivate the new teammates,” Vazquez said. “To create that culture is important because every year and every team is different.”
Kalbas has already employed tactics to promote camaraderie. The Tar Heels went to a haunted house before Halloween and painted pottery in Carrboro earlier this year. The team plans to put on another bonding activity — they're deciding between a high-ropes course and an “escape room” activity, Vazquez said.