After five years as a varsity Fairmont Cardinals tennis player, Tyler Head knew his sixth and final season had to be different.

“I think mentally, just realizing that this is my last year, I have to give it everything I’ve got. I think a couple of us on the team have realized that,” he said.

During the offseason, Head and a couple other members of the Cardinals tennis team would go to Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter to get in extra practice.

“We worked on offseason conditioning and strength. That really helped,” said Head. “Just continuously hitting at Gustavus was a big piece.”

The practice has manifested itself into an undefeated start for Fairmont’s No. 2 singles player. He currently holds an 8-0 record with wins over Class 1A, No. 5-ranked Litchfield’s Trevor Meyer, No. 10-ranked St. James netter Michael Coleman and Mound Westonka’s Victor Nelson.

“To be undefeated feels awesome, but we got some good, big team wins so that feels even better,” Head said.

“He’s a different player than he was last year. He’s definitely better,” Cardinals head coach Eric Johnson said about Head. “He’s not just a defensive player anymore.

“He can go on offense and counterpunch really well.”

Last year, he played at different spots in the lineup, but has been the Cardinals’ staple at No. 2 singles all season. Johnson said that although No. 1 singles player Carter Klanderud beat Head for the top spot at the beginning of the season, Head has the ability to be the No. 1 netter.

“He’s almost like having a No. 1 singles player at No. 2,” Johnson said.

Although he didn’t knock on wood while discussing his perfect record, Head is superstitious, much like most other athletes. From his pregame ritual of how he puts his shoes on — left first, always — to being the last person to line up, Head follows the same order at every meet.

“I always play with the same side of my racket. If a ball won me a point, I’m going back to that ball on the next point. So yeah, I’m really big into superstition, actually,” Head added.

The 8-0 start is also a way for Head to display his leadership as one of four seniors on the team.

“They look up to you and to be that guy that they can look up to and see what he gave his senior year is a big piece to it (successful start),” Head said.

Head feels some pressure to remain unbeaten, but knows losing won’t be “the end of the world.”

“I’m hoping the win streak lasts all year, but I think eventually, it’ll come to an end,” he said. “I think it’ll be good for me, too, to put me back into place.”

Even with the perfect start, Head has his sights set for a much higher goal, involving the whole Cardinals team.

“Sophomore year, we won the Big South Conference title and I think to repeat would be pretty epic,” said Head. “The big goal is the state tournament. That’s where I really want to be at the end of the season, so we’re working towards that.”

With much of the season still in front, the Cardinals will have to play St. James again as well as No. 9-ranked Luverne and St. Peter, among others.

“There’s some tough competition like St. Peter, and we’re going to play Chanhassen,” Head said. “Those are going to be the fun ones, I think.”

Only time will tell how many more wins Head will string together. Between his offseason work and being a shining example for the rest of the team, Head is determined to make the most out of his senior season.

“This is my year,” he said.