By Brian Peloza
Staff Writer

If you like a quiet and unemotional player, Purdue men's tennis player Derek Miller is not your man.

"I am feisty guy, very competitive," Miller said. "It is probably what lets me win a lot of matches."

Along with his powerful forehand, Miller will also direct his emotions across the net.

"I like to compete and get in my opponent's face," said Miller.

Although he enjoys making life difficult on his opponents, Miller is definitely a player that can lighten the team's mood. At a recent practice, the sophomore showed up wearing a huge cowboy hat. Exhibiting behavior like this does not surprise Coach Tim Madden. Madden said the biggest improvement made by Miller from his freshman year is in the timeliness of such events.

"The difference is that he now knows there is a time and a place and when you show up for your pre-match preparations, it is time to get your game face on," said Madden.

Madden said Miller's athleticism and shots are the same as last year, but he is a smarter player than before.

"He has established an attitude, I think, that gets the job done mentally for us," said Madden.

The change in attitude by Miller has resulted in an improvement of his singles record.

"He has been a winner for us at No. 2 singles most of the year, and last year he was around a .500 player at No. 5 and 6 singles," said Madden.

Seeing Miller play with less-than-enough energy is never a problem that Madden has to worry about

"He is very happy, more than a happy-go-lucky guy," Madden said.

"Derek Miller is never going to be bashful about speaking his mind and letting his opponents know that he is excited to be playing tennis," he said.

Playing No. 2 singles and having a winning record in Big Ten competition is what Miller is most excited to tell his opponents about. His goals, though, go far beyond a winning record at No. 2 singles. One of his goals is to be an All-American in doubles with his current partner, freshman Carl McCafferty.

"By my senior year, we would love to be All-American in doubles; that would be pretty big," said Miller.

The sophomore also has high hopes for the team and himself as an individual. Georgia would be a destination Miller would like to visit before his playing days are over. It is the site for the NCAA singles and doubles championships each year.

A native of California, Miller decided that Purdue would be the best place for him to play to achieve those goals.

"The coach is great and I knew he had a program that could possibly reach the top 10," Miller said. "I wanted to be part of it and I came out here."

Moving from San Diego to Purdue has caused Miller to miss many things from home. He said the beach and the weather are two things he misses the most.

One thing that made the move to Indiana easier is that his brother Trent plays for the Notre Dame tennis team. Even though the brothers were not individually paired against each other, Miller said it was tough when Purdue played Notre Dame earlier this year.

"He brought out all his friends that I knew," Miller said. "They hazed me; it was tough having them in the crowd."