Derrick Tuskan, File Photo

The San Diego State men’s tennis team is hoping the past is just that – the past.

After a 5-2 loss against USD, SDSU’s players admitted that they hadn’t played up to their potential and that it upset them.

“Everybody was pretty angry and actually kind of tired,” senior Benedikt Stronk said. “The last week was pretty tough. We had a hard practice, worked out in the gym, then we had the match against Princeton, then we had the match against USD.”

However, the team has put any feelings of frustration behind them.

“It’s a new day,” Stronk said. “It’s a new match. (Saturday) is not important now.”

However, if the team can take an important lesson from the silver lining in the loss to the No. 36 Toreros, it was the play of the bottom positions players.

“One good thing is that (No. 5 and No. 6) guys had good matches,” Stronk said. “Which makes everything easier. Before, at the top (positions) we had to win all the time. Otherwise, it would be hard for (the team) to win.”

Sophomore Robert Sabo (8-5 in singles) finished the day on a positive note for SDSU, beating Jonas Mouly of USD at the No. 6 spot (6-2, 2-6, 6-3).

And junior Christian Groh continued his recent strong play, winning both his third straight singles and doubles match against the Toreros.

“There’s no question about it,” Stronk said. “(Groh’s) a very good player. He has all the confidence. Sometimes he’s (just) too critical of himself. If he changes that and is a little more positive then he can be an unbelievable player.”

As the No. 72 Aztecs look forward to upcoming conference play against No. 58 Utah on Friday, today’s match against Harvard could be more crucial than it first appears.

“It’s important that we build up our confidence,” Stronk said.

SDSU’s overall record (6-6) puts the team in sixth place in the Mountain West Conference, but conference matches haven’t begun yet.

However, Stronk has a simple task for SDSU.

“Our goal is to win the conference,” Stronk said.

For the Aztecs to improve their standing in the MWC, the team has several areas in which it must improve, most notably its serves. SDSU has been less than impressive in the service department, which is critical for success in tennis.

“Serves are so important,” Stronk said. “The return is the most important stroke in a tennis match.”