Derek Derie
GAMBIER, Ohio - First-year Wittenberg Head Coach Justin Stuckey and his Tiger men's tennis team wrapped up one of the most successful seasons in program history with a loss in the third-place match at the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) Championships, dropping to Wabash College, 5-2.
The Red & White turned in 15 wins on the season, an improvement of 10 win over last year in part thanks to superb play from freshman Derek de Rie (Breukeler, The Netherlands/RSG Broklede). De Rie capped off the year with a pair of wins, including a doubles match with seniorBrad Seymour (Chillicothe, Ohio/Chillicothe) by a score of 9-7 over their second flight opponents.
In a tight match with the Little Giants, the Tigers fought in a number of close affairs, but they could not overcome Wabash in their second meeting this season. Seymour joined Andrew Young (Mansfield, Ohio/Senior) as Tigers playing in their final tournament.
Wrapping up the season at 15-8, second in the NCAC West and fourth in the NCAC Tournament - all program-bests since 2002-03 - Stuckey and the Tigers set the bar high for the returners in 2009-10.
Written by: Ben Bradley, SID Assistant