It's not often that a second-year player is one of the most experienced players on the team, but such is the case for Arizona sophomore Alejandro Reguant. With four freshmen and a transfer on the eight-man roster this season, Reguant has been a leader both on and off the court. His 17-3 record in singles play is the best on the team and a major part of the team's success this year. Thanks to the Barcelona native's stellar play, the Wildcats have 15 wins on the season, the most for the program in 10 years. ArizonaWildcats.com sat down with Reguant to get his thoughts on the current season.
 
How have you had so much success this year?
 
"I've been trying to hold the baseline more because I used to play farther back. I've also been trying to serve harder to get more points out of my serve, and I've been working with my volley game at the net. I work with every one of our coaches to try and add these to my game."
 
How have the team's expectations and confidence changed as the season has progressed?
 
"At the beginning we set different goals, and since we have a lot of freshman, they didn't know what those goals were or what to expect from the other teams we play, but now they've seen a little bit, and they see that these goals are totally achievable, and we are very close to achieving them all. I think everyone is pretty excited to continue to work towards them, especially the freshman who I think are more confident now than they were at the beginning of the season."
 
What kind of leadership role have you taken on this year, especially with four freshmen on the team?
 
"You just have to teach everything from the beginning. I'm not very experienced in college because I'm only a sophomore, but I have more experience than these other guys because they are new, so I just try to do what I was taught last year. For instance, Will Kneale, a senior last year, taught me a lot. He showed me how things are supposed to be done here, and that's just what I'm trying to do with the freshman right now."
 
What do you think this season says about the direction the program is going?
 
"I really think coach Shields is doing an amazing job here, and he's totally changing the tennis program. He's putting it in the right direction. I think during this season, we've already shown that we've improved, and we will continue to improve. Next year we will be better, and the same will hold true for the following season. I think this year has been a turning point for the program, and we will continue to get better from here."
 
What is your favorite part of playing for Coach Shields?
 
"The energy and the passion that he has. He takes care of his players as if we were his sons. He's super passionate about the program, and he always wants the best for us as people and as players. That's what I like about him."

What has been the highlight of the season for you?
 
"I had a very good experience playing in Montgomery, Alabama (at the Blue Gray Classic). We took third place in a really tough tournament. I think the energy during the whole week was awesome from every single guy on the team."
 
Reguant and the Wildcats play at Washington this Friday at 5 p.m. MST.