How Two FSU Tennis Players are Taking the College Experience to the Next Level

Florida is home to ten men’s D1 programs, each featuring a highly competitive squad of talented players vying to dominate the Sunshine State and take down the best teams across the country. One of these schools that is a core part of the state’s college ecosystem is Florida State University, home to the FSU Seminoles. This past season, the team went 18-8 and several players took home ACC honors. For the thousands of junior players, parents, and former college players interested in what college tennis is truly like, to adults who are curious about these programs, and former college players themselves who wonder how the competition has changed, two players on FSU’s roster have created a social gold mine where these exclusive queries can be answered. 

Meet Azariah Rusher and Corey Craig. This fall, they’ll be in their junior and senior years, respectively. Craig, a former Boston University standout, transferred down south last year and joined Rusher, who was already on the team having completed his freshman year. This key decision on Craig’s part sparked instant friendship between the two and a genius idea: creating a portfolio of social media accounts and channels where they could truly show what playing college tennis is all about, providing key insights into the recruitment process and daily lives of these talented athletes. It’s called Noles on the Net, and it’s something worth following for anybody interested in one of our state’s best tennis teams. 

Photo Credit: Gaby Morales/Florida State Unconquered Media Team.

In a fun interview with Rusher, who's affiliated with Florida Tennis partner Sofibella, he detailed to me how the idea came to be. He explained, “We wanted to make videos and show people what we’re made of behind the scenes…Corey had some background with editing videos so I thought he would be the perfect partner. I called up Corey and told him that we are going to start an Instagram and Youtube channel and told him to start thinking of names.” Craig came up with the fun phrase that headlines their mission: Noles on the Net. “We opened the Instagram account, and the rest was history,” Rusher said with a smile.

If you open up their channel on either Instagram or YouTube, you’ll find an array of clips from longer videos showing the team traveling to play different matches to shorter ones that focus on more lighthearted concepts such as which one of their teammates is most likely to laugh in a serious situation. Other videos showcase the players practicing hard under the hot Floridian sun, and some are direct strategy sessions with Craig and Rusher about their tips for entering the college tennis recruitment process. While the content may vary, it all comes together to form a complete package that highlights the demand of the sport in addition to the joy and camaraderie found in a team like the Seminoles. Rusher says, “I definitely value team culture. There’s so much room to grow. There’s nothing more important than being friends with teammates, these are lifelong friendships.”

Photo Credit: Gaby Morales/Florida State Unconquered Media Team.

But there are other goals that go along with the channel, too. Craig, who is entering his last year in Tallahassee, has already earned himself a few ATP ranking points and a ranking just outside the top 1000 with some Universal Tennis Professional Tennis Tour tournament wins. Just weeks ago, Rusher played in the qualifying of the Tallahassee Challenger and lost in two tight sets to somebody ranked #364. Though reaching the upper levels of the ATP tour is a monumental challenge for anybody, both players have proved that the level isn’t far off from that of a touring professional. So the other side of the channel comes from a promotional mindset, a demonstration of their hard work hoping to attract sponsors who can aid them on their journey past college. But before any of that happens, Craig still has one more year with the Seminoles—and it’s gonna be a good one. 

On his team’s future, Rusher claims, “We’re looking really good in terms of level. We’ve got some high UTRs coming into the program. Achievements-wise next year will all come down to what we do in the offseason, what we put in on the court as a team…whatever input we have we’ll receive the exact same output.” So, if you’re somebody interested in the college tennis system, follow along next year as the team will compete once again for the high honors they have achieved before. Craig and Rusher, accompanied by a slew of new recruits and transfers, may just earn the team the best results yet. It’s sure to be an exciting season. 

To learn more, be sure to check out Noles on the Net on Instagram and YouTube.

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Written by Florida Tennis contributor Will Turvey. Photo Credit (top): Gaby Morales/Florida State Unconquered Media Team.