Men's Tennis Season Preview
As a first-year member of the Northern Athletics Conference, the MSOE Raiders men's tennis team is looking to step in right away and compete for the conference title. The Raiders are coming off a 9-8 year as an independent and are excited about conference play.
"I am really excited for this year as we are joining the NAC," said first year head coach Blake Wentz. "We went 5-1 against NAC opponents last year and we have added several freshman that will make an immediate impact on our lineup. "
The possible lineup looks very deep with freshman fighting for positions one through six.
"Freshman Mark Schadler, James Kutill and Dustin Holzhauer will vie for the number one singles position along with returning sophomore Max Ohland," Wentz said. "Other freshman Grant Lees and Taylor Pfenning will look to break into the lineup at #5 and #6 singles."
If it looks like the Raiders will play only freshman, think again. Depth is something that this program possesses as Wentz will count on upperclassmen to keep league matches competitive.
"We have drastically improved our depth with these players along with returners Ohland, Jason Anderson, Mitch Paulus and Brett Coogan," Wentz said.
Ohland played #3 and #4 last year, while Anderson, Paulus and Coogan played anywhere from #4-6 singles and #2-3 Doubles throughout the 2007 season.
Wentz is very optimistic that this young team can gel early.
"We are looking to have a strong season and vie for our first NAC championship," Wentz said.
The season starts off indoors as the Raiders will face Beloit on February 10. They will face seven non-conference opponents early in the season to ready themselves for the conference grind which cumulates with the NAC Championship on April 27 at the Pleasant Valley Tennis Club in
Jackson, Wis. which is hosted by Concordia University-Wisconsin.
Projected Lineup:
#1 Singles - James Kutill
#2 Singles - Max Ohland
#3 Singles - Mark Schadler
#4 Singles - Dustin Holzhauer
#5 Singles - Jason Anderson
#6 Singles - Grant Lees
#1 Doubles - Kutill/Ohland
#2 Doubles - Schadler/Holzhauer
#3 Doubles - Anderson/Paulus
