For David Anderson, this year is all about finishing his Notre Dame career as strongly as he started it three years ago.
The senior star is intent on leading the Irish to another NCAA Tournament berth and making a deep run once they get there. Anderson, a three-year starter, has certainly left a mark on the Notre Dame program, assistant coach Ryan Sachire said.
"[Anderson] is a consistent force for us on and off the court," Sachire said. "He is a good kid who gets good grades and is a real solid guy for a program that is focused on both academics and athletics."
Over the weekend, Anderson picked up some important victories for his team against quality opponents.
"He beat two top-of-the-line Iowa and Western Michigan players," Sachire said. "Those are two solid teams and anytime you play another team's No. 1 player, you know he is a real good player."
Anderson is a crucial leader for a team with a strong mix of veteran presence and talented underclassmen learning the ins and outs of college tennis.
"He is a hard worker and is very conscientious of his decisions," Sachire said. "He is not the most outspoken guy, but he is a leader by example. The young players are able to learn from his example and can see that he is a stabilizing force for us."
Anderson has taken multiple trips to the NCAA Tournament during his time with the Irish. Last season, he and teammate Daniel Stahl picked up a much-needed win at the doubles position as Notre Dame looked to advance past Wisconsin. Although the Badgers eliminated the Irish, Anderson once again proved why he plays such an important role for the Irish. That experience should only help Anderson this year as he looks to make a splash as a singles player.
"He can have a big year," Sachire said. "He just needs to keep working and continue to be aggressive."
With another strong season and a prospective appearance at this year's NCAA Tournament, Anderson can leave a lasting mark on the Irish program.
