Photo: St. Bonaventure Athletics
BY: NATHAN DONNELLY, STAFF WRITER
The St. Bonaventure men’s tennis team, with 75% of the roster being international players, has created a welcoming and enjoyable connection among players and coaches.
Freshman Luke Ollivierre, of Bridgetown, Barbados, said that coach Michael Bates established the type of atmosphere that someone would want to spend their next four years in.
“From the time I moved in a week early with the international orientation, [Bates] immediately came to greet me and to show me around campus and the facilities,” said Ollivierre. “The team instantly took me in and after four weeks I am extremely close with a majority of them.”
Being around teammates reminds junior Hugo Cochlin of his home in Cardiff, Wales, said Cochlin.
“There are a few other British players on the team,” said Cochlin. “The banter is the same with the boys here as it is with my boys back home. We always keep it light and enjoyable.”
Ollivierre shared how smooth of a transition life was into American culture.
“The culture is extremely different here, but I wouldn’t say I’m not too unfamiliar with it as most of the tournaments I’ve played have been in the USA,” said Ollivierre. “It was a bit much in the first week of school, but I have acclimatized to it very well.”
Cochlin said his experience of American culture has been nothing but positive.
“American culture is so great with how friendly and how kind people are over here,” said Cochlin. “Everyone is so talkative, so it was pretty easy getting used to.”
Olliveirre said tennis has been his passion from a very early age.
“I started playing tennis at age 12,” said Ollivierre. “I only started playing tennis competitively at 15 and worked extremely hard training every day to reach my best possible level. To get to SBU I was scouted by coach Bates at a winter showcase in Sarasota, Florida and we communicated and eventually I signed for SBU.”
Cochlin explained how he started playing at a much earlier age at his housing development in Wales.
“I started playing tennis on my council house estate tennis courts with my dad at four years old,” said Cochlin. “Later down the line,[Bates] sent me an email to come to St. Bonaventure. I jumped on a call with him and two months later I was here.”
Cochlin and Ollivierre will help the men’s tennis team improve on its 11-13 record from last year, which included Cochlin’s favorite moment as a Bonnie when they won a round in the A-10 championship last semester.
The men’s tennis team plays in the Army Invitational from Oct. 14 to Oct. 16 in West Point, New York.
donnelnp23@bonaventure.edu
