Mercier Making Strides on the Long Road to the Pros

Mercier '14

Sophomore Tyler Mercier has always had to work for things in his life on and off the tennis court. This kid is the best tennis player at Guilford and he's paying his own way through college. Coming from a working-class background in Omaha, Neb., Mercier began working at an early age in various capacities.

 "I worked at Applebee's and other restaurants. I also shucked corn," said Mercier. Mercier's work in the fields of the great Midwest taught him the value of hard work and self-reliance. It also taught him to dream big.

"I plan to go pro (after I graduate)," said Mercier, who has enjoyed his time at Guilford and used the time to work on his game and have new experiences at College.

"Guilford really showed me that I need to get my stuff together, because at home I didn’t really have the tools to succeed," said Mercier, who is also getting a job here in Greensboro.

His work ethic extends to the offseason. Mercier, for financial reasons, cannot go home during the summer and has only been home for about two weeks since he came to Guilford. Instead, he travels to Gainsville, Fla. to live with his aunt and work on his game. Paying for practice space in the Midwest is exorbitant and Mercier can ill afford to waste money, so the arrangements work out.

Mercier, who has a brother and sister who both play college tennis, had a shot to play tennis at the University of Oregon at Eugene, his sentimental first choice, but came to Guilford because he wanted to be the number-one player and because of the influence of head coach Dave McCain.

"He found me on a website and I flew out here for a visit," said Mercier. McCain is a huge part of the reason Mercier chose Guilford as McCain's expertise and experience as a coach appeal to him. McCain helped Mercier excel last year as he won the Old Dominion Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year Award and finished with a 12-3 record as the Quakers’ top singles and doubles player. His goals for this year, however, are even higher.

"I really want to go undefeated," said Mercier. The goal was dashed, however, this past weekend at the ITA Division III South Region Championship where Brian Kowalski of Emory exposed Mercier’s weaknesses on the court, his tendency to take too many risks and let opponents get in his head.

“He faced a guy who just didn’t miss,” said McCain. “Tennis is a game of confidence, once you lose that then it’s tough to win.”

McCain’s praises Mercier’s physical game saying, “ He hits the ball really, really well, we’re trying to get him to open up the court and hit smarter shots.”

McCain also feels that Mercier has a shot at the pros, but that it will be an uphill battle as his mental toughness catches up with his physical toughness.

“About three players playing college tennis play on the tour (each year),” said McCain. He says that as long as Mercier keeps his cool on the court that he will get a shot at going pro.

But for a kid coming from Omaha who came to Guilford with a dollar and a dream, a shot is all he can ask for.

Story by Will Cloyd