CCU

Men's Tennis to Open up Conference Play This Week

       

Men's Tennis to Open up Conference Play This Week

CONWAY, S.C.-The 2006 men’s tennis team got of to a program best start this season of 6-0 start before falling to Furman on February 17. Since that match, the team has posted an 8-2 record, getting the other loss from UNC Wilmington on February 23.

The team has faced several difficult teams this season and pulled out two extremely close 4-3 wins against Campbell and The Citadel. Senior Andy Caress (Cincinnati, Ohio/Princeton) has posted an overall record of 8-2, mostly in the number four singles slot, however, Caress has also seen action in number three-six singles. David Mellis (London, England/Goffs) has been playing most of the season in the number one singles slot, posting a 3-2 record there, 5-3 overall. Mellis will be looking to break a three-match losing streak this Thursday when the team travels to Mercer. Elliott Quibell (Derby, England/Cheam (Colorado)), has seen action in five matches, posting a 4-1 record in the number two or three spot. Quibell, however, hasn’t seen action since the win against Campbell.

Richard Redding (Winscombe, England/Queen Elizabeth’s Hospital) is currently 7-2 on the season, splitting between the third, fourth and fifth spots. Senior Simon Taylor (Hampshire, England/Queen Mary’s College) currently has a 4-5 overall record, as he splits his time with Mellis in the number one slot, Taylor will also be looking to break a four-match losing streak this week. Plamen Tzvetkov (Herts, United Kingdom/Stanborough) has gone 7-2 so far in 2007, mostly in the fourth spot for the Chanticleers where he’s gone 5-0. Joseph Withers (Peoria, Ill./Dunlap (Liberty)) has been a very big factor in this season’s success with his 7-3 record, playing anywhere but at the number one spot so far this season.

Overall, the team has posted a 42-18 singles record with their best results coming from whoever is competing in the fourth and sixth spots, both of which have gone 9-1.

In doubles action, the Chanticleers are led by the team of Redding/Tzvetkov who have gone 8-2 overall. Caress and Taylor have also been a solid duo with their 7-3 doubles record, all at the number one spot. Mellis and Quibell have teamed up for a 4-1 record and Mellis with Withers have gone 3-2. Overall, the team has posted a 22-8 doubles record in 2007.

The Chanticleers hit the road for two matches this week, first on Thursday they travel to Mercer then on Saturday they open up conference play against Birmingham-Southern.

Scouting Mercer...

Mercer currently is 4-3 on the season after losing twice to Jacksonville this past weekend. The Bears have picked up wins against Campbell, Fort Valley State, Bethune Cookman and Birmingham-Southern. Mercer is led by seniors Patrick Russo and Mario Gil. Russo has posted a 5-1 record in the number two spot while Gil has record an 4-2 between the two and three spots.

Scouting Birmingham-Southern...

The Chanticleers open up Big South Conference play on the road Saturday (3/3) as they take on Birmingham-Southern. The Panthers, who are participating in the Big South and Division I for the last year before dropping to Division III, are currently 1-6 on the season. Senior Mauricio Engler leads the Panthers with a record of 3-3 at the number one spot.

Birmingham-Southern ended the 2006 season in the semi-finals of conference play when they lost to Charleston Southern. Coastal took the win over the Panthers last season 5-2.