One is the number of seniors the men’s tennis team has on its roster this season. Two is the number of remaining home matches he has left this season. Three is how many years he waited to make the starting lineup. That senior is Charlie Miller.

This season the Warhawks were deep on talent, but short on experience. Nine of the 14 players were underclassmen, along with two transfer students. With so many new faces the veteran players had to step up and lead the way.

Miller has been part of the team for the last four years, but was not in the starting lineup until this season. This year, he worked his way into the No. 3 doubles slot, compiled an overall record of 17-5 and went 14-4 with his main doubles partner, junior Erik Scanlan.

“This year was a lot of fun,” Miller said.  “I really got to be in the lineup more and make a difference, which makes all that practice worth it.”

Miller said he was grateful for the increase in playing time this season, but also said that it has taken a lot of hard work as well as trying to set an example for the younger players.

“It has been weird,” Miller said about being the only senior. “But it has been fun in a way because I couldn’t slack off and had to show the other guys the ropes.”

Head coach Frank Barnes  said Miller’s work ethic helped him become a starter.

“Charlie has always been a hard worker,” Barnes said.  “He leads by example, does all the right things, and he’s always the first one to do a little extra,” Barnes said.

Miller has worked hard to get where he is today, but did not see much time on the court his first three years.

He could have simply quit the team and focused on his brutal class schedule, but instead he chose to gut it out and is reaping the benefits of his patience.

“I think that shows a lot of character,” Barnes said.  “It’s easy to stick with a team when you’re a starter, but it says a lot about a person who is willing to stick it out and put in the work. He never complained once either.”

The ’Hawks will honor Miller during Senior Day, which will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday before their match against Elmhurst College. This will be Miller’s last home match of his career and one of his last chances to play with Scanlan.

“Charlie has been around forever, and it has been great playing with him,” Scanlan said.  “He’s got the best overheads on the team and is always calm and composed, which is great when we are down. It’ll be tough playing with someone else next year.”

Miller said that Senior Day will be tough, but that he is looking forward to it.

“It’s going to be weird being the only senior on Senior Day, but it’s going to be a lot of fun,” Miller said. “I love the sport; that’s the reason I stayed with the team this long, but it’s definitely the end of my competitive tennis career. It doesn’t have to be a completely sad day, but I will miss it.”