Tennis, according to Point Loma Nazarene University sophomore Alexander Leischner (above), is passed down from generation to generation in his family, as if it were an old scrapbook or piece of jewelry.
“My mom, my grandpa, my great-great grandpa, all played tennis,” Leischner said.
There is some debate about what came first, his steps or his serve. What he does remember is the feeling of jealousy that came over him when his older sister began taking lessons.
“I started playing when I was two-and-a-half years old because of my sister,” he said. “I was super jealous, so I was always playing with my mom in the street. My first lesson was at three-and-a-half.”
Leischner, a native of Aichach, Germany, spent much of this past season as an anchor for PLNU as the team’s No. 1 and was named PacWest player of the year in April.
“Playing the No. 1 position; every match out, he is having a big challenge,” PLNU head coach, Curt Wheeler, in his eighth season with the Sea Lions, said. “Even if we are playing teams that we are stronger than in other positions, they are almost always strong at that No. 1 position. His consistency with his tennis shots and with his mental focus really shone through this year.”
PLNU finished the season at 18-4 – the most wins in program history. The Sea Lions’ third-place finish at the PacWest Championships is also a program best. During one stretch of the season, the team won 12 straight contests.
“We beat every DI team we played,” Leischner said. “I’m pretty sure it’s the best season Loma tennis has ever had.”
“I’m hoping the guys are focusing on how incredible of a year it was,” Wheeler added, less than a week removed from season’s end.
Leischner played in the No. 1 position in all but two contests. In doubles play, he worked in tandem with seniors Tyler Davis and Fabian Penzkofer.
“He did not make many errors when he was playing singles,” Wheeler said. “He makes his opponents earn everything. There were plenty of matches where you could tell opponents did not believe they could do certain things against him. He won some matches because he had that mental advantage with opponents coming out and knowing he doesn’t have bad days.”
“I’m more consistent as a player [than freshman year],” added Leischner. “Freshman year was more defense. Now, if I have the opportunity, I will take it and attack more. I have a bit more offense in my game.”
At 6 feet 7 inches tall, Leischner’s serve is a strength of his game.
“With his height, I think his serve is something he utilized more this year than last year,” Wheeler said. “He got a few easy points [with his serve].”
In a disappointing end to a massively successful season, PLNU dropped an NCAA West Regional match in front of a home crowd to Hawaii Pacific on April 28.
“I would not say everyone expected we’d go to Nationals,” Leischner said. “But we were a two seed and they were a three seed and we had beaten them before. Everyone was super disappointed. In the locker room, everyone was quiet.”
“We are all still thinking about it,” Wheeler added. “That’s the crazy thing about postseason play, anything can happen on any given day. This one being at home, there was a little bit of surprise. I told them ‘This is sports and sometimes things simply don’t go your way.’”
PLNU graduates several key players this year, including Tyler Davis, Fabian Penzkofer, and David Strassburger, who competed in the No. 2, 3, and 5 positions, respectively.
“It is going to be very tough,” Leischner said. “This year, looking at our roster, everyone expected us to win. Next year this won’t be the case anymore, but I always love playing as an underdog.”
“We are losing four guys at this moment,” Wheeler added. “But at minimum, the experience of this season for the guys returning is going to be a big boost for next year. Hopefully, we are putting ourselves in this position again.”
As good as Leischner has been for the Sea Lions, Wheeler thinks he is still growing as a player.
“He’s already gotten a lot better at this; but when he adds a little more aggressive play on his end to balance and mix up the more defensive game style, I think he has an opportunity to take his game to an even higher level,” Wheeler said.
