Men's Tennis News

2008-2009 Men's Tennis Outlook

As told by head men's tennis coach, Peter Howell:

The 2008-2009 Stormy Petrels Men’s Tennis Team has a chance to be a pretty good team. We are excited about the upcoming spring season. Last years team finished 12-7, 5th in the SCAC Conference and ranked #16 in the Atlantic South Division of NCAA D-3. This was our best finish since 1991! This year’s team could build on the success of last year’s team. However, others in the conference have also gotten stronger.

Last season started with 3 great wins over regionally ranked opponents. We beat then ranked #18 Piedmont College 7-2, followed by #14 Methodist 5-4, and #15 Averett 6-3 and thus achieved a regional ranking of #14 in early spring. Our losses were to nationally ranked #13 Amherst and #21 Christopher Newport, regional powers #7 Sewanee , #8 Rhodes, #9 BSC and #14 Mississippi College. We were competitive in all matches with solid wins over conference rivals Millsaps, Hendrix, Southwestern, and blanked Centre. In the Conference championship we lost to 3rd place Rhodes and defeated Millsaps for 5th. We finished ranked #16 in the region.

Five of our top six will be returning.  All- Conference Sr. Luka Cerenko is playing very well and recently  made it to the quarterfinals of the ITA Regional Championships. He should compete for the top of the line up and if he stays healthy has a chance for an at large bid for the NCAA Championships in May. Our #4 player from last season Sr. Gabe Henderson returns for his 4th year and will give us great depth in the line up. He is a battler and 3 hr matches are not uncommon with Gabe. Our other two Srs. Carlos Carthen and Ricky Pomales continue to work on their game and will challenge for playing spots.

Jr. Brad White returns for his 3rd year. Last year Brad helped us greatly at #6 and #3 doubles and will be counted on to gives up depth. Jr. Joey Kosciolek was ill during the fall, but helped us at #3 doubles last spring. All- Conference sophomore Felix Mann (13-5 at #2-3) upset the #3 seed in the ITA’s. He will be counted on to challenge for the top of the line up and will be hard to beat at #2 or #3. Soph. Ross Beall played #4 & 5 singles  last year and will be counted on somewhere in that area this spring. He is also a very solid doubles player, one of our best. 6’6” Lawrence Sweatman, another of our sophomores. has improved his forehand and movement and will challenge for a playing spot. His big serve may help us in doubles.

Newcomers transfer Jr. Scott Mcree and Fr. Bryan Bailey will make us better. Scott is a talented counter puncher who will challenge Luka and Felix for the top of the line up. He and Ross give us an excellent #2 doubles team. Bryan is a solid baseline player who will only get better as his game develops. After the fall he was solidly in the middle of the line up. We look to have Luka Cerenko, Scott Mcree and Felix Mann at the top 3 positions in some order. Bryan Bailey, Ross Beall and Gabe Henderson look to battle for the next 3 spots. Brad White, Lawrence Sweatman, Joey Kosciolek will be ready to jump in if someone they lets up. Carlos Carthen and Ricky Pomales will continue to push everyone to be better.

We look set in our top doubles combinations with All-Tournament Team duo of Felix Mann and Luka Cerenko at #1. They were 12-2 last season. Ross Beall and Scott Mcree give us a solid #2. They won the doubles consolation at the ITA’s this fall beating Mississippi College, Millsaps, and Rhodes. #3 doubles is up for grabs with some combination of Bryan Bailey, Gabe Henderson, Brad White, Joey Kosciolek, Lawrence Sweatman, and Carlos Carthen vying for  this important slot.

We have a tough schedule opening with #2 nationally ranked Emory away. We also face regional powers Sewanee, Rhodes, BSC (H), Mississippi College(H), Southwestern(H) and North Carolina Wesleyan(H). If we can somehow split these tough matches we can improve on last year’s record. We will travel to North Little Rock, AK for the conference Championships in April.  We have to catch Sewanee or Rhodes to move up in the conference. Barring injury, perhaps this is our year!