The men’s tennis team looks to the remainder of the season with high hopes after battling early confidence issues, and is ready to take on a tough schedule on its way to the conference championships.

Head coach Alvin Kim stated the issues it needs to address in order to achieve their goal of winning the conference championship.

“We’ve been losing a lot at the four, five and six positions and our three doubles. So we’re really working hard every day to get better at those.”

Freshman Mat Espiritu, says about the first half of his season, “The first half I wasn’t doing as well as I planned, it was mainly a confidence issue.”

He also added, “I want to improve my record. I’m really trying to build up my mental strength.”

The Falcons face a tough second half of the season, including some NCAA teams such as Amherst College and Arizona Christian University.

“We’re playing a lot of NCAA schools. They’re pretty good. They attract better talent, and it’s good experience and it’s good recruiting for our boys as well,” Kim said

Kim is expecting a lot from his No. 1 guy, Nathan Eshmade “He’s only lost one match, so we are hoping he continues his streak, and he’ll be one of the top guys from the south as we enter the state tournament.”

Eshmade said, “There (are) a lot of matches I’m in all the time, so I need to make sure I’m fit and healthy. The biggest obstacle the team faces together is really relying on each other and making sure everybody does (his) part individually, and making sure everybody is prepared for (his) game.”

The team will travel to face San Diego City College Friday at 2 p.m.