Luke Coppage is in a new team and city this year.
Starting his collegiate tennis career at Queens University of Charlotte, a 30-minute drive from his home, the 800-mile trip north to Milwaukee marked his first time living away from his hometown.
But it’s been a welcome and enjoyable adjustment, even the Wisconsin winters, Coppage said.
“It’s definitely been fun. Being here was a change, being away from home, but it was good to become more independent and explore a new city,” Coppage said. “It’s been a little bit of an adjustment to the cold, but Coach (Jud Shaufler) gives us nice parkas, so I’ve been pretty warm — and I’ve enjoyed it a lot.”
Coaching and financial changes prompted Coppage to change his scenery, and he traded in the navy & white for the blue & gold over the summer.
Coppage entered the transfer portal hungry for a new adventure. He signed with Marquette because of the opportunity to play in the Big East, and the Golden Eagles’ legacy on the courts.
“(Marquette’s) always been a school that I’ve looked at with a lot of respect for, and the history of the tennis program,” Coppage said. “So, coming here was a no brainer.”
Following the loss of three first-years from the 2024-25 season, including two to the transfer portal, the team was looking to rebuild.
Marquette men’s tennis head coach Jud Shaufler said that Coppage’s drive and humility stood out to him in the recruitment process.
“He recruited us, I didn’t know that much about him at first, he asked for an opportunity, and so I gave it to him,” Shaufler said. “He didn’t come in with a lot of demands, and all the things you hear about in college athletics right now.
“There was no price tag on him or anything like that, he was just a hungry guy who wanted to be in a good situation for himself.”
Helping Coppage adjust to his new living and playing situation is his roommate and doubles partner Hugh Perrill. Together, they have played in six doubles matches this season and have utilized their inherent chemistry.
“Luke and I have a really good relationship on court, so we know how to work together,” Perrill said. “I feel like doubles is a big team game, and I think how close we are, it really helps us in the tough moments in doubles.”
Coppage started the season rotating between the No. 5 and No. 6 singles spots but has found his footing with four-straight singles victories at No. 5 in 11 days against Chicago State and Xavier. He then pulled off two close ones against Fairfield and UNC-Asheville to celebrate spring break at the USTA National Campus in Orlando.
Because Marquette has just four tennis courts, the No. 5 and 6 spots play after the first four are finished in competitive matches. It means they are often prime candidates to determine whether the Golden Eagles win or lose.
“At five and six, it comes with a big responsibility, especially on our courts,” Perrill said. “You have to come in with a lot of energy and be a stabilizer out there.
Coppage’s personal interests are helping him adjust — and win. He hopes to get an accelerated master’s degree in the accounting analytics program and is passionate about computers and data analytics, two things he said lead to better shot selection on the court.
“We have in our heads, with the split second when the ball is coming to us, we have to make a decision and think of the percentages,” Coppage said. “Am I going to hit this more defensive cross court, hit it down the line, hit a slice, or what serve should I hit?”
“It’s thinking analytically and trying to detach from the emotions as much as you can — a lot of the time in pressure situations it’s really important.”
Sophomore Kristian Blagoev said that Coppage’s composed and bright attitude has been a positive addition to the team that complements the existing core group that came in as first-years in 2024-25.
“You watch him play, and he’s not going to be one of those guys that’s going to be losing his mind,” Blagoev said. “I’d say he’s there for everybody; he’s always going to be someone that you can rely on. He’ll lose a tough match, and then he’ll go right to cheering for the next guy, which I think is huge.”
Perrill said that Coppage came to Marquette at just the right time for himself and the rest of the team, with the timing of his move to Marquette.
“I think that experience (in Charlotte) has really helped him, and it helps us as a team,” Perrill said. “He comes out there and does his job, which really helps our team and confidence.”
This article was written by Mikey Severson. He can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter/X @MikeySeversonMU.
