March 9, 2006

Malone Men’s Tennis Team Opens With Quick Start In ‘06

The Malone College men’s tennis team, led by second-year head coach Tom Brown, has gotten off to a quick start in the 2006 campaign by winning its first two contests and three of its first five matches.  The Pioneers hope to improve upon last year’s 8-12 overall record and even upon their solid 5-3 AMC record which placed them in a tie for third among nine teams in the conference.  But the sting of losing a tough 5-4 match in the opening round of the NAIA Region IX/X Tournament last year is still felt and the team is counting on getting back to the postseason for a third straight year and going much deeper into the tournament.
 
This year’s eight-man roster has a bit more experience than in previous years as three seniors, two juniors, one sophomore and two freshmen make up the balanced ’06 squad.
  
Junior Jason Christman (Canton McKinley H.S.), an ’05 All-AMC Team selection who is again playing at #1 singles on the squad, posted a 6-8 record last season in the top spot and has gotten off to a solid start this season. 
  
Two very talented freshmen joint this year’s team and will play at the #2 and #4 spots.  Kyle Bowers (Norwalk H.S.), at #2, has won each of his first five matches on the season, while Tim Springirth (Erie, PA) is at the #4 singles spot and will team with Bowers at #2 doubles.
 
Brian Paul (Sr., Louisville H.S.), an ’04 All-AMC Team recipient who was 8-11 in singles last season, is playing at the #3 singles spot and also teams with Christman at #1 doubles.
 
The #5 and #6 singles positions have been held by Dan Aluise (Sr., Cranberry Twp., PA) and Dan Yard (So., Louisville H.S.), respectively.  The duo also teams up as the Pioneers #3 doubles unit.
 
Alex McMahan (Sr., Green H.S.) and Ermine Millhone (Jr., Meadowbrook H.S.) are also on the squad and will see spot action throughout the season.
  
“Our doubles combinations have clicked very well together and I look for that to continue as the season moves forward,” said Brown.  “We’re very solid at the top of our lineup and we’re hoping for consistent play at the bottom half as the season goes on.
 
“The team has a much more competitive attitude this year.  Our toughest opponents are early on our schedule and we’ve either beaten them or played them very competitively. 
 
“Last year, some untimely injuries hurt us and we feel that we have a very good shot at winning our conference if we stay focused and healthy this season.”
 
The team will have competed in five matches in Hilton Head, South Carolina over spring break in preparation for the all-important conference slate in March and April.
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