Dalton Alexander, or as his friends call him “DJ,” has served as a captain of the Men’s Tennis Team for four years, ever since he was a first-year student in 2022. Although he was chosen to be a leader from day one, he felt as if something was holding him back both on and off the court.

When he first joined the team, Alexander, now a senior sports management major, weighed 232 pounds, and he said playing at that weight left him at a disadvantage. This motivated Alexander to do everything in his power to lose weight to become a better player, which he did by starting to go on runs and eating healthier.

By the time his second season started, he had lost 42 pounds, which brought his weight down to 190. Dropping this much weight helped with his reaction time and stamina and gave him an equal playing field, which he said improved his game tremendously.

“One day I just told myself I wanted to get in shape. I felt like my freshman year there were matches that if I were more in shape I’d have more of a competitive advantage and a better chance to maybe not even win the match, but just to keep myself in the match,” Alexander said.

Throughout his career, Alexander’s teammates have credited his leadership and hard work. “He’s always watching out for us, whether it’s the form on our serves or just changing our game up. He’s always watching to fix things whether we know it or not,” said Noah Ceklosky, tennis player and a junior in the physical therapy program.

Alexander first picked up a racket when he was 16 years old and instantly fell in love. He was drawn to the mental toughness and the physical strength needed to win, especially in long matches. Although Alexander watched his dad play tennis growing up, he didn’t start his high school career until junior year because of Covid, which only made him hungrier to become a better player. By the end of his senior year, he had led Montoursville High School to finish second in District IV two times.

Alexander started his career with the Cougars in 2022, and although on paper the team’s success may be appear limited, that scorecard doesn’t diminish his effort on the court, his commitment to his team and his growth as a player. Alexander’s commitment to his health and his game caused a spark among his teammates and inspired them to do the same.

“My freshmen year when I came in as a student, DJ was definitely on the heavier side, and over the course of a few months he lost a bunch of weight and got into good shape, which inspired me to want to make sure I’m able to be in the best shape for tennis for me to be able to compete at my best,” Ceklosky said.

Alexander is known for his competitive nature on the court, consistently yelling and chanting to not only hype himself up but also his peers battling alongside him. His teammates raved about his finessed game style, which will have players running from side to side on the court and then see him unexpectedly hit a drop shot. But players said the quality that stands out most is his ability to stay composed, which Alexander credits to his yearslong development as a player.

This is Alexander’s last year, and this season means a lot to him. Not only has he yet to see his team in the playoffs, but the team hasn’t been there in a decade, so he and the team are hoping to get there. “I’m definitely hoping for the team to be top four in the MAC conference and making the MAC Playoffs,” Alexander said.

Alexander is going to take his final season all in, for one last time, and cherish it. “I’m going to miss the team, hanging around with them, the bus rides, the competitiveness between the guys, and even little things,” Alexander said.

There are many memories Alexander will cherish, but the one that is most meaningful is a clutch win he had freshmen year when the team was relying on him to win the match. “It was my freshmen year, and the match was tied 3-3 against Marywood University. I was the last person playing, and everyone was watching and we won. It was our first win in the men’s program history, five plus years I think,” Alexander said.

Alexander is leaving his four years of unquestioned commitment, astonishing effort and profound leadership on the court this spring, and he hopes to leave the team with the same competitiveness. He believes that competing against each other pushes everyone to become players. More importantly, he emphasized that players should never stop being themselves, and he wants to encourage the same for new recruits as well.

Outside of tennis, Alexander is known as a student who engages with professors and isn’t afraid to ask questions, which is something he takes pride in because he’s grown these qualities since he was a freshman.

Alexander still plans to keep tennis in his life in any way he can. He hopes to one day own his own tennis facility where he can share his passion and love for the game with others, regardless of age, but for now he is content with becoming a trainer or a coach, helping people develop their skills.