Casey Clagett

Despite the loss of one of the best players in school history, the Wittenberg University men's tennis team could be even better in 2002. The hope is that Wittenberg can at the very least improve upon its third-place NCAC standing and 16-6 overall dual match record of a year ago.

That's because the players remaining continue to make such significant strides, meaning that while Wittenberg will be without four-year No. 1 singles standout Bryan Heft, the Tigers will have an outstanding lineup that will not only compete at all six singles positions and all three doubles spots, but will frequently outflank the opposition with its depth.

Leading the charge in 2002 will be senior Casey Clagett (Steamboat Springs, Colo./Steamboat Springs), who played No. 2 singles a year ago and posted a 14-9 overall record. He leads a deep lineup that also includes junior Eric Cusick (Lima, Ohio/Senior), sophomore Duby Lakos (Lynchburg, Va./Heritage), juniorMike Herzog (Springfield, Ohio/Northwestern) and junior Ben Hodgkiss-Lilly (Cleveland Heights, Ohio/Cleveland Heights). That foursome combined for a 59-19 singles record a year ago, and Cusick and Herzog both went undefeated in NCAC action. Add in senior Rob Postma (Tallmadge, Ohio/Tallmadge), who hasn't played for the last two years but has shown through the fall season the ability to step right back into the mix, and the Tigers have more than enough depth.