The Wittenberg University MEN'S tennis team heads into the
the 2005 spring season hoping to build some momentum and cultivate
that winning attitude with a young team that includes just one
senior.
The Tigers are led by No. 1 singles and doubles
player Shane Hutton (Charleston,
W.Va./Charleston Catholic), a junior who has been in
the starting lineup each year at Wittenberg. He has moved up from
sixth singles as a freshman to second singles the majority of the
2003-04 season to first singles in 2004-05. He frequently played
the top singles spot last year as well.
The team's lone senior is Ben Burkam
(Delaware, Ohio/Hayes), who bounced in and out of
the lineup a year ago and figures in a crowded mix again in
2004-05. He is jockeying with juniors Brian
Pierce (Dayton,
Ohio/Oakwood), Nick McLean (Port
Clinton, Ohio/Port
Clinton)and Steve Wilson
(Springfield, Ohio/Shawnee),
sophomore John Shields (New Kensington,
Pa./Valley) and
freshman Ryan Snyder (Trotwood,
Ohio/Madison) for playing time at both the
singles and doubles positions. All six players are very even,
giving the Tigers strength and consistency throughout their
lineup.
On the WOMEN'S side, the Tigers are led by
seniors Sarah Fassler (Cincinnati, Ohio/St.
Ursula) and Emily Figel
(Fort Wayne, Ind./Homestead), who has returned for
the spring season after studying abroad during the fall semester.
Both players already have three letters to their credit, as well as
All-North Coast Athletic Conference honors. Figel has been the
team's No. 1 singles and doubles player in every match since
stepping on campus.
Junior Kristyn Russell (Loveland,
Ohio/Mount Notre Dame) is back as a starter for
the third straight season, and she will likely be playing both
singles and doubles. Junior Mallory Meyer (Lake
Forest, Ill./Darien (Conn.)), a doubles starter in
2003-04, steps into the singles starting lineup and will team with
Fassler at the No. 2 doubles position.
Rounding things out, a pair of talented freshmen have stepped
into the lineup and appear to be providing much-needed
depth. Emily Okerson (Cincinnati,
Ohio/Anderson) has been playing at No. 3
singles and No. 1 doubles, teaming with Figel,
while Ashley Schnedl (Cincinnati, Ohio/St.
Ursula) has settled in at the No. 6 singles and
No. 3 doubles positions. Both had winning records coming out of the
fall season and Spring Break trip.