University of North Carolina Athletics
Benjamin Sigouin (above) and Mac Kiger shined in their introduction to the UNC-Virginia rivalry.
GoHeels Exclusive: Meeting Expectations
April 3, 2018 | Men's Tennis, Featured Writers
By Pat James, GoHeels.com
As freshmen on the North Carolina men's tennis team, Mac Kiger and Benjamin Sigouin didn't experience the sting of last season's 4-2 loss against Virginia in the NCAA Tournament championship.
But leading up to Sunday's rematch against the Cavaliers, they quickly became educated about it and the rivalry.
"I'd been hearing about it a lot, especially from Rob (Kelly), who definitely wanted to beat those guys after what happened in the finals last year," Kiger said. "No matter who is in that uniform, it's still a rivalry."
And Kiger and Sigouin shined in their introduction to it.
With the Tar Heels ahead 2-0 after claiming the doubles point and Kelly's singles win on Court 4, Kiger and Sigouin clinched what proved to be a 6-1 victory with straight-set wins on Courts 6 and 2, respectively. The victory snapped UNC's five-match losing streak against Virginia. It also helped the team improve to 5-1 in ACC play and 14-4 overall.
But in terms of the bigger picture, the win provided yet another example of the immediate impact Kiger and Sigouin have made through 18 matches.
"Nothing is ever perfect," William Blumberg said, "but they're as close to it as possible."
Ranked by tennisrecruiting.net as the No. 9 and No. 1 recruits, respectively, in the 2017 recruiting class, Kiger and Sigouin enrolled at UNC in January. They became the fifth and sixth Tar Heels to do so over the last five seasons. And like a majority of those before them, Kiger and Sigouin arrived amid lofty expectations.
So far, they've met those.
With their singles wins Sunday, Kiger (9-1) and Sigouin (12-2) are a combined 21-3. They've posted an 8-1 record in ACC play.
"They don't play like freshmen," Sam Paul said. "They've played on some really big stages that are bigger than this. So I tried to get them to understand that right when they came here; they're really good players.
"They're getting more accustomed to dual matches and all that stuff, so they're pretty comfortable now."
Kiger said veterans such as Kelly, Blumberg and Blaine Boyden have played key roles in helping him adapt to college tennis. But both he and Sigouin also said they've benefitted from going through the same growing pains together.
"We're best friends," Sigouin said. "We have like two classes together. We've been helping each other out, and (I've been) having a lot of fun with him."
Just last season, Blumberg, the 2017 ITA National Rookie of the Year, went through a similar adjustment period after enrolling at UNC in January. Thus, he's attempted to impart his wisdom on Kiger and Sigouin.
Blumberg's advice has been even more applicable for Sigouin, who, like Blumberg last season, has played most of his matches on Court 2. Sigouin is 9-2 there and 3-0 on Court 1.
"Ben is an unbelievable player and unbelievable competitor," said Blumberg, who has played all 14 of his singles matches on Court 1 this season. "So just stay positive and continue to compete and fight. He's been incredible this year for us. He's been a rock for our team. So just kind of keeping him positive and keeping him happy."
"He's been a great friend for me," Sigouin said, "and I really appreciate it."
On the opposite side of the courts, Kiger has teamed with Boyden to form a steady back end of the Tar Heels' singles lineup. Kiger is 7-1 on Court 6. Boyden is 15-0 on the season, with nine of his wins coming on Court 5.
"Bo is a beast," said Kiger of Boyden. "He's always winning, he's always up, he's always providing energy for me. It's great to play next to him."
With six matches left in the regular season, Paul said Kiger and Sigouin are still learning. But perhaps what has impressed him the most is how much they care about the team and have bought into UNC's system.
"Right from the get-go, they fit right in, which was great," Boyden said. "They bring a lot to the table. Both of them are just natural leaders. They're always speaking up, and they'll look at the way I'm playing and give me advice on how I can improve.
"So we have a really good relationship with them, they've played with a ton of confidence and they've obviously made a big impact early."
As freshmen on the North Carolina men's tennis team, Mac Kiger and Benjamin Sigouin didn't experience the sting of last season's 4-2 loss against Virginia in the NCAA Tournament championship.
But leading up to Sunday's rematch against the Cavaliers, they quickly became educated about it and the rivalry.
"I'd been hearing about it a lot, especially from Rob (Kelly), who definitely wanted to beat those guys after what happened in the finals last year," Kiger said. "No matter who is in that uniform, it's still a rivalry."
And Kiger and Sigouin shined in their introduction to it.
With the Tar Heels ahead 2-0 after claiming the doubles point and Kelly's singles win on Court 4, Kiger and Sigouin clinched what proved to be a 6-1 victory with straight-set wins on Courts 6 and 2, respectively. The victory snapped UNC's five-match losing streak against Virginia. It also helped the team improve to 5-1 in ACC play and 14-4 overall.
But in terms of the bigger picture, the win provided yet another example of the immediate impact Kiger and Sigouin have made through 18 matches.
"Nothing is ever perfect," William Blumberg said, "but they're as close to it as possible."
Ranked by tennisrecruiting.net as the No. 9 and No. 1 recruits, respectively, in the 2017 recruiting class, Kiger and Sigouin enrolled at UNC in January. They became the fifth and sixth Tar Heels to do so over the last five seasons. And like a majority of those before them, Kiger and Sigouin arrived amid lofty expectations.
So far, they've met those.
With their singles wins Sunday, Kiger (9-1) and Sigouin (12-2) are a combined 21-3. They've posted an 8-1 record in ACC play.
"They don't play like freshmen," Sam Paul said. "They've played on some really big stages that are bigger than this. So I tried to get them to understand that right when they came here; they're really good players.
"They're getting more accustomed to dual matches and all that stuff, so they're pretty comfortable now."
Kiger said veterans such as Kelly, Blumberg and Blaine Boyden have played key roles in helping him adapt to college tennis. But both he and Sigouin also said they've benefitted from going through the same growing pains together.
"We're best friends," Sigouin said. "We have like two classes together. We've been helping each other out, and (I've been) having a lot of fun with him."
Just last season, Blumberg, the 2017 ITA National Rookie of the Year, went through a similar adjustment period after enrolling at UNC in January. Thus, he's attempted to impart his wisdom on Kiger and Sigouin.
Blumberg's advice has been even more applicable for Sigouin, who, like Blumberg last season, has played most of his matches on Court 2. Sigouin is 9-2 there and 3-0 on Court 1.
"Ben is an unbelievable player and unbelievable competitor," said Blumberg, who has played all 14 of his singles matches on Court 1 this season. "So just stay positive and continue to compete and fight. He's been incredible this year for us. He's been a rock for our team. So just kind of keeping him positive and keeping him happy."
"He's been a great friend for me," Sigouin said, "and I really appreciate it."
On the opposite side of the courts, Kiger has teamed with Boyden to form a steady back end of the Tar Heels' singles lineup. Kiger is 7-1 on Court 6. Boyden is 15-0 on the season, with nine of his wins coming on Court 5.
"Bo is a beast," said Kiger of Boyden. "He's always winning, he's always up, he's always providing energy for me. It's great to play next to him."
With six matches left in the regular season, Paul said Kiger and Sigouin are still learning. But perhaps what has impressed him the most is how much they care about the team and have bought into UNC's system.
"Right from the get-go, they fit right in, which was great," Boyden said. "They bring a lot to the table. Both of them are just natural leaders. They're always speaking up, and they'll look at the way I'm playing and give me advice on how I can improve.
"So we have a really good relationship with them, they've played with a ton of confidence and they've obviously made a big impact early."
Players Mentioned
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