March 1, 2007

Malone Men's Tennis Looks To Make Another Postseason Run In 2007

The Malone College men’s tennis team recently opened the 2007 season aiming for another strong performance.  Under the direction of third-year head coach Tom Brown, the Pioneer men’s tennis program has experienced continued improvement each of the last two seasons.  In 2005, Brown’s inaugural year, the squad qualified for the NAIA Region IX/X Tournament but then narrowly lost their opening round match to Roberts Wesleyan (NY) College by the final score of 5-4.  Last year’s team took things one step further by advancing to the regional semifinals after defeating Tiffin University 5-4 in the tournament’s opening round.  Malone then lost a hard-fought 6-3 match to Walsh University to finish the 2006 season with an 11-12 record overall and a solid 5-3 mark in the American Mideast Conference.  The 2007 squad will not only have its sights set on making a fourth straight trip to the NAIA Region IX/X Tournament this spring, but it will also have hopes of advancing much deeper into the postseason. 

One senior, one junior, two sophomores, and four freshmen make up the 2007 roster and although the squad is young overall, it is deep with plenty of talent from top to bottom.  “I’m excited about this year because our team has plenty of depth with people who can hold their positions,” states Brown.  “I feel that we can win anywhere in the lineup”.

Back to anchor the #1 singles spot is senior Jason Christman (Canton McKinley H.S.), who received All-AMC recognition for both singles and doubles play last season.  Sophomore Kyle Bowers (Norwalk H.S.), who was also named an All-AMC singles player in 2006, returns to the #2 singles position after pacing the team in wins last year with a 17-5 singles record.  Sophomore Tim Springirth (Harbor Creek H.S.) will play at the #3 singles spot and will pair with Bowers at the #1 doubles position after the duo posted a 14-5 record in 2006 doubles play. 

Freshman Nathaniel Rodd ( Canton , OH ; homeschooled) will be the #4 singles player and will team with Christman at the #2 doubles spot.  Junior Dan Yard (Louisville H.S.) will play in the #5 singles position with freshman Tim Frazier (Blackhawk H.S.) joining the team at the #6 singles spot.  Yard and Frazier will team-up as the Pioneers #3 doubles unit.  Freshmen Josh Fisher (Louisville H.S.) and Daniel Fahl (Ravenna H.S.) also join the squad this season and will see spot action throughout the year.

Brown believes that this skilled group of young players could provide a strong foundation for the future.  “I’m looking forward to watching these guys grow together and play together for years to come,” Brown says.  “I think their best tennis is still ahead of them.”

The Pioneers have started the year on a strong note, winning three straight matches including a pair of convincing 8-1 victories over NCAA Division II opponents West Virginia Wesleyan and the University of Charleston (WV).  The squad will once again travel to Hilton Head, South Carolina for several matches over spring break before returning home for their important AMC slate in March and April.
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