Everything comes down to this weekend.

For the women’s tennis team, victory at the MIAA Championship would prolong their streak of back-to-back MIAA titles. For the men’s tennis team, a victory would complete a resurgent season with a championship and send a message to the MIAA.

"We always gear [up] for the MIAAs," said men and women’s coach Scott Frew.

Men’s

The men’s team returned to elite status in the MIAA this season after finishing fourth last season. Capped by a victory over Kalamazoo, which ended a 67-year losing streak, the men enter the tournament third in the MIAA, with a record of 4-2. Their only losses on the season came against Kalamazoo and Calvin, who are ranked first and second in the league.

"This year is completely different than any year," said Nate Marshall, Whitehall senior. "Albion hasn’t won [the MIAA tournament] in 68 years. Even with two losses to Calvin and Kalamazoo, we’re going into the tournament knowing we can win."

This will be the first year that the MIAA Championships will be played out in a team format. This season, the tournament will be scored just like any match. The teams will play three doubles matches, followed by six singles matches. In previous years, the tournament was set up in a singles flight format, which meant the teams potentially were not on the same site and the single and doubles matches were played at different times.

The new team format gives Albion the chance to avenge itself against Calvin and Kalamazoo, according to Marshall.

"Last time we were not as prepared mentally," Marshall said. "Now, we’re in such a groove that it’s a different feel. We just have to match up right."

Frew also believes in the benefit of the new team format.

"I think it takes a lot of pressure off," Frew said. "In flight play, you can’t have a bad day and have your teammates pick you up. In the team format, you can afford to have a bad match."

Frew is in favor of the format, as championship play is now the same as any other match played during the season.

Also, with the whole team gathered in one spot, there is more support around each player.

"The fact that there is no change in format [from the season] and that the team is together in one place makes it more fun," Frew said.

Women’s

The women’s team also suffered defeat at the hands of Kalamazoo, though they were able to rally to beat Calvin the following week. Holly Huth, Grosse Pointe Farms first-year, credits the loss to Kalamazoo as a spring board to better things for the team.

"It [the loss] was motivation to step it up," Huth said. "We know we’ll run into them again."

Emily Stocker, Holt senior, was disappointed with the loss to Kalamazoo. Stocker has won an MIAA title two out of the three years she has been at Albion. For Stocker, the loss was just what the team needed.

"It gave us a wakeup call that we needed to pick up our game if we want to compete for the MIAA title again," Stocker said. "We have definitely been working our hardest in practice and preparing for every match. We were ready for Calvin, and it showed in our results."

Albion beat Calvin 8-1 on April 17. The Lady Brits were able to continue winning on April 21 against Saint Mary’s College. Albion was dominant, losing only one singles match in the victory. Albion’s victory over Saint Mary’s helped the women earn a shot at second seed in the MIAA Championship.

The women head into the tournament in second place in the MIAA with a 7-1 league record. The Lady Brits earned second seed after beating Hope 6-3 on April 24. Kalamazoo is on top of the standings and remains the only unbeaten team in the league.

"We need to be ready to play," Frew said of the team’s chances against Kalamazoo. "The men got over the hurdle by beating Kalamazoo. The women got beat during a tough week. If we show up ready to play, we’ll be fine."

Both teams have high expectations going into the tournament. The women enter the tournament as the second seed. The men will enter the tournament as the third seed. The men’s team will begin play at home this weekend, while the women’s team will travel to Kalamazoo.

"We get a shot in the semis against the teams we need to beat in the finals," Frew said. "Once we get to the finals, anything can happen. We just need to be ready to play."

Stocker believes that the women are now on the same page and are looking to upset Kalamazoo on their home court.

"I believe our team is right with Kalamazoo, and I think we can pull an upset in the MIAA tournament," Stocker said. "If we continue improving like we have been, then I think we will beat Kalamazoo the next time we play them. "

For Marshall and the other seniors, this tournament just might be the pinnacle of their careers.