Following in the footsteps of his grandfather, a former Rutgers University tennis player, Matt Jones, the 21-year-old Sacramento State senior, decided when he was 11 years old that he was going to quit playing basketball, baseball and soccer in order to focus on tennis.

That decision has been to the benefit of Sac State and to the men’s tennis program in general.

Last year the Woodland Hills native was named to the Big Sky all-conference first team after he went 15-7 in singles play and helped lead the team to the conference finals under head coach and former doubles partner, Sherif Zaher.

“I just enjoy being out there by myself on the court and just doing it all for yourself, either winning or losing, it’s a good feeling,” Jones said.

Although the team lost in the finals to Idaho State, Jones’ career-best season was not overshadowed by the loss because in his first two years playing for Sac State, Jones had already played with two championship teams.

Jones’ singles record last year led the team in victories. In three matches so far this season, he has only played two singles matches and is 1-1 after sitting out the first match of the year to let his younger teammates get some playing time.

Jones considers this year’s tennis team the most talented group of guys he has played with in his four years with Sac State.

“I feel very confident with these guys,” he said. “I like them a lot and I really feel like we can do some damage this year.”

His sophomore year, Jones was offered a scholarship to Fresno State, but the switch from Hornet green and gold to Bulldog red and blue was not one that Jones wanted to make.

“My loyalty was to all the guys I was already here with. I didn’t want to leave halfway through.”

In college tennis, teamwork is the name of the game even during singles matches.

Team members come together and motivate each other by rooting and cheering from the stands. Winning matches is not just a one man effort, according to Jones.

“(One of) the good things about our team is that a lot of the guys push for you and it’s not just a one-man effort,” he said. “It’s everybody rooting and cheering and going crazy. That’s what it is all about.

“It’s when you come together and you really feel like you are a team. That’s when you play your best tennis.”

For Jones, playing under Zaher has been like a dream come true. Zaher is a former Sac State player and was named the Big Sky MVP twice. During Jones’ freshman year, Zaher was his doubles partner.

“I respect him and think the world of him,” Jones said. “He is just a great coach to have and I think he is going to take this university far.”