By Dave Johnson
W&M Athletics
 
Nearly 14 months ago, the men's tennis team at William & Mary believed it was a contender. The Tribe had some nice wins — including a big one against Elon, the very team that had eliminated it from the previous springs' conference tournament.
 
So it was championship or bust. Then came the pandemic, and everything — title dreams included — ended.
 
A year later, the Tribe has another chance going into the Colonial Athletic Association Championship, which begins Friday at the Millie West Tennis Facility. Leading the charge is fifth-year senior Brenden Volk, who graduated in 2020 but is back with the NCAA's extra year of eligibility for last spring's athletes.
 
Volk knows as well as anyone how badly this program wants a championship.
 
"We got to the finals of the conference tournament my sophomore year," said Volk, who transferred in from Northwestern prior to the 2017-18 season. "The following year, we lost in the semifinals in a heartbreaker.
 
"Last year, we felt that was our chance to take it all the way. We had the guys to do it and we had the results to show for it throughout the year. Then it was taken away from us, and we didn't even get a chance to compete. When I got the chance to come back, I couldn't pass it up."
 
In his second-chance senior season, Volk has played primarily at the No. 1 spot, where is 4-4. With George Davis, he is 6-4 at No. 1 doubles with a three-match winning streak entering the CAA Championship.
 
Tribe coach Jeff Kader sees another value to Volk, who is working on his Master of Business Administration.
 
"Last year was meant to be his senior year, and he was all in," Kader said. "He was willing to do whatever it took to get it done. He was a motivating force behind the rest of the team before that was cut short (by the pandemic).
 
"To have him come back, he just brought that mentality all over again. Having that motivating factor of a second chance, that just brings a little extra fire — for him and the rest of the guys as well."
 
As one of the team's older players at 23, Volk welcomes the leadership role.
 
"I've always wanted to be the guy my teammates look up to," said Volk, who has made the CAA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll in each of his four years at W&M.
 
"I want to do everything I can to make sure this team is put in a successful position. There's nothing more I want than to help these guys win a championship this year."
 
With a 2-4 record eight weeks ago, W&M didn't have the look of a championship team. But discussions were had, mirrors were looked into, and everything changed.
 
"When we lost to Elon (on March 7), it was a reality check that we weren't playing up to the level we should be," Volk said. "We came together for a big team meeting and went over exactly what we needed to do to make sure we didn't lose to a conference rival again.
 
"Then came the Mary Washington match. That helped us get on our hot stretch."
 
On March 19, the Tribe defeated Mary Washington 7-0 with only one set lost. Sure, the Eagles are a Division III program, but that was the first of five consecutive wins. That included 4-3 victories over James Madison and Old Dominion and a 6-1 win vs. Richmond.
 
As the No. 3 seed, William & Mary will go against No. 6 Charleston in a 6 p.m. quarterfinal Friday. If the Tribe advances, chances are it would face No. 2 Elon in Saturday's semifinals. Then, if it goes that far, No. 1 UNCW most likely for the championship on Sunday.
 
Volk will enjoy every moment of it. In fact, he already has.
 
"I'm so grateful to be a part of this team," he said. "Win or lose, I'm so happy I was able to come back for an extra season and compete alongside my teammates one last time.
 
"To try to chase that ring that has eluded me my entire career. To try to get that ring that has eluded Coach Kader since he's been here. I know we have the team that will do anything possible this weekend to make sure we walk out as champions."