GCSU Men’s and Women’s tennis opened its spring season on Feb. 6, 2026. The outlook starts hopeful, with the men’s team securing a 5-2 win over Tuskegee University on the Centennial Center Tennis Courts. In the Peach Belt Conference this April, the men’s team is expected to finish fifth and the women’s fourth.
Head Coach Steve Barsby shared his main goals for the season and conference. He emphasized that consistent practice is key to individual and team development. Working towards a specific goal can help when entering major conferences that require months of preparation.
“The Peach Belt is one of the top three conferences in the country, and our goal is always to compete for the top spots,” Barsby said. “That would put us in a very good position to play in the NCAA tournament at the end of the year.”
A team’s internal beliefs and values can greatly affect how it navigates a series of wins and losses. Statistics are not always within players’ control, but character is. Maintaining a healthy mindset is just as important as a winning streak on the court.
“The thing we talk about consistently is being the best version of ourselves and being relentless competitors throughout the series,” Barsby said. “With tennis being an individual sport, it is most important that players remain successful towards their team.”
Rachel Black, a sophomore biology major, shared her personal experience with tennis and how it has shaped her. She expressed her gratitude towards the sport and how it has taught her time management and provided her with a supportive community.
“It is a unique experience to get to live out a dream that I’ve had for years,” Black said.
Student-athletes often face the responsibility to manage multiple worlds at once, which can be difficult and time-consuming. Packed schedules, long practices and travel can affect a student’s grades and stress management.
Black explained that using her time wisely and taking breaks has helped reduce overwhelm when managing multiple tasks.
“I’m able to balance [sports and academics] by taking advantage of the in-between moments,” Black said. “I try to compartmentalize by focusing on the task at hand and not worrying about the things I can’t control.”
Black’s strategy is one way to divide tasks into smaller steps and can be useful for busy students. Additionally, close mentors can support athletes in their goals and help build stronger relationships on and off the court.
“My coaches have been great role models for me,” Black said. “They go above and beyond to truly know us as a person, not just as a player. This pushes me to also be intentional about building relationships with those around me.”
Black shared that this mentorship has helped her become more confident during matches and has given her a more positive mindset going forward.
The GCSU tennis season may have just begun, but players continue to show up in all circumstances to play their hardest. From now until the end of the semester, coaches and players will work to see their team goals become a reality. For some, playing a sport is not just about the game, but a part of them they honor through practice.
On Wednesday, Feb. 18, the Bobcats will play Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) on the Centennial Center Tennis Courts. A previous matchup on Apr. 9, 2025
shows a 7-0 win, extending the winning streak to two matches. This will be GCSU’s third time against ABAC.
To learn more about upcoming matches and purchase tickets, fans can visit the GCSU Official Athletics Website. The website also includes Parent Central, where parents can access more information.
Spring is on its way, making sports games a good way to enjoy a pleasant day outside and support university athletic teams.
