After three consecutive losses to start off the 2012 campaign, the Cal Poly men’s tennis team found its groove — winning six straight matches since its early season slide powered by No.22-ranked singles player Andre Dome.
Dome, a native of Indonesia, was sidelined for a portion of his sophomore year due to hip surgery, but has returned strongly in 2012 as a junior suffering a lone defeat in a January doubles match at San Diego State. He was forced to retire at the hands of Nikola Bubnic of the University of San Diego a day earlier due to symptoms of an early season injury — a match officially tallied as a loss for Dome.
In a sport often dominated by international players, Dome — an Arroyo Grande High School graduate — is one of only four Californians on this year’s squad. But his No. 22 ranking is a testament to how his skill transcends international boundaries.
“It’s an honor to be ranked up there, but at the same time, I don’t want to get in my head too much,” he said. “I can’t be too content with that, so I want to keep moving up in the rankings.”
While Dome was born outside of the United States, he is still considered to be a local product. He moved to the Central Coast when he was 5 and has delighted in playing tennis in the community that he said offered him many opportunities both athletically and academically.
“It just goes back to family and friends and being around the community,” Dome said. “That was the biggest thing for me because it’s a huge part of my life.”
Despite being highly recruited out of high school, Dome decided to play collegiately for the Mustangs, a decision that developed a loyal following from fans and community members alike. In fact, friends in his freshman dorm came up with the idea to make shirts with the words “I heart Dome” in support of their beloved star.
First-year head coach Nick Carless credits Dome’s explosive serve for his large following and esteemed play on the court this year.
“His serve is so dominant that it allows him to get out of holes and funky situations,” Carless said. “He covers the court really well, and he’s a really good athlete.”
Dome employs a unique two-handed grip on both forehand and backhand, a strategy he learned from his father. While he admits many coaches have encouraged him to alter his technique to get more reach on his forehand, the junior is content with his unconventional style of play.
“I’ve been playing with it for my whole life, and I’m more comfortable with it,” he said. “I can hit with more power, and I’m just used to playing that way.”
Injuries have proved to be an exasperating reality over the past few seasons for Cal Poly, but the Mustangs are recouping just in time for conference play.
Redshirt senior Matt Fawcett was a welcoming addition back to the lineup last Friday following an 18-month hiatus due to an 18-month hiatus due to a partially-torn ACL.
Dome and Fawcett have waited three years to share the same court for doubles play, but various injuries have kept the two apart, until now.
The No. 53-ranked Mustangs swept visiting UNLV on Friday 7-0 and UC Davis 7-0 on Sunday to extend the winning streak to six. They were anchored by Dome and Fawcett’s 8-2 doubles victory, and Dome’s straight set win against Rene Ruegamer, 6-2, 6-1.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been as nervous as I was on Friday,” Fawcett said. “It was a strange and sort of surreal kind of feeling, but to get that first win back against UNLV was definitely big for my confidence and its made me feel like a tennis player again.”
Cal Poly made quick work of the Aggies in its most recent match as the Mustangs did not drop a single set in the victory at San Luis Obispo Country Club.
The solid early season start in Big West play has the Mustangs right where they want to become conference tournament time, according to Carless.
“We’re looking to repeat as conference champs like we were last year,” Carless said. “I think we’re one of the better teams in the conference, and as long as we keep getting better, we’ll do a good job in the tournament in April.”
For Carless — a former Cal Poly tennis player and Pepperdine assistant coach — this year’s squad offers an opportunity for success that many coaches dream about.
“I inherited a great group of guys who are looking to work hard every day and trying to get better and to improve upon the great year that they had last year,” Carless said. “We’re 53rd in the country right now, and I definitely think we can get better and better.”