By: Nastassja Posso
NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y.- Darrel Harxhi has started off his first pre-season as a Purple Eagle off on the right foot. Harxhi won the Flight I singles title at the Purdue Fall Invitational on Oct. 7.
“It was a crazy atmosphere,” he said. “We were up against some tough competition at a big school, and it really served as an eye-opener and a good opportunity to get on the right mindset for this season.” Harxhi said.
Harxhi is a sophomore transfer student from St. Bonaventure. Harxhi transferred to NU primarily because he knew the coach pretty well and it was closer to home. He also likes that unlike his time at St. Bonaventure, at Niagara the men’s tennis team is very close-knit like a family.
“At Niagara, I reached out to the coach and he accepted me with open arms and said he wanted me on the team.” Harxhi said.
Harxhi began playing tennis at the age of eight when his mother put him in a tennis class.
“My mom is a big tennis fan,” Harxhi said. “So one summer she decided to put me in a class and I wasn’t very good at first, but thanks to her I kept pushing and actually ended up playing pretty well.”
He mentions that it is still too soon to set season goals in stone as he has not been a Purple Eagle for very long, but he would definitely like a winning record and more wins than losses.
“I see this time as the most important part of the season because when you’re not playing, it’s easy to get side tract and lose the big picture,” he said. “But like what they say, ‘it’s what you do in the dark that puts you in the light,’ I think now is the time to stay focused and consistent.” Harxhi said.
Harxhi and the rest of the team continue to prepare for their next match in January against Binghamton.
Niagara Wire 