Men's Tennis gears up for spring season
By: Owen Mercer
Issue date: 11/14/08 Section: Sports
After capturing the 2008 Southern Conference Championship, the Furman men's tennis team looks to build on their success as they prepare for the Spring 2009 campaign.
Led by Coach Paul Scarpa, who is entering his 43rd season as head coach of the Furman men's tennis program, the team returns all of its major players from last season.
"Everyone is back, and that's a plus," said Scarpa. "We have great leadership, and I know we've gotten stronger."
The team is led by senior captains Andy Juc, Bo Ladyman and Daniel Knause. Juc is coming off an impressive 2008 season in which he was undefeated in SoCon singles play (9-0) and was named the SoCon Player of the Year.
Ladyman also had a great conference campaign as he went 7-2 in singles and 8-0 in doubles. His doubles partnership with junior Jordan Walters earned the duo All-SoCon First Team honors.
Knause too had an outstanding 2008 season, compiling a 9-0 record in conference singles matches.
The Paladins are not top heavy, however. One of the team's strengths is its depth, and there are several other players that are looking to make an impact this year.
Junior Chris Motes went 7-1 in SoCon singles matches last season and 6-2 in doubles, good enough to earn a spot on the All-SoCon Second Team.
Walters also looks to improve on last season, in which he posted a 14-11 singles as well as a 10-1 doubles record with Ladyman.
Sophomores Sawyer Duncan, Andrei Chvetsov and Philip Fuelkell are other players that will compete for action in the top rotation.
Finally, Scarpa will look to seniors Ethan Asher and Jason Basile, juniors Bob Bruner and Chris Rhyne, and freshman Watson George for added depth this season.
Led by Coach Paul Scarpa, who is entering his 43rd season as head coach of the Furman men's tennis program, the team returns all of its major players from last season.
"Everyone is back, and that's a plus," said Scarpa. "We have great leadership, and I know we've gotten stronger."
The team is led by senior captains Andy Juc, Bo Ladyman and Daniel Knause. Juc is coming off an impressive 2008 season in which he was undefeated in SoCon singles play (9-0) and was named the SoCon Player of the Year.
Ladyman also had a great conference campaign as he went 7-2 in singles and 8-0 in doubles. His doubles partnership with junior Jordan Walters earned the duo All-SoCon First Team honors.
Knause too had an outstanding 2008 season, compiling a 9-0 record in conference singles matches.
The Paladins are not top heavy, however. One of the team's strengths is its depth, and there are several other players that are looking to make an impact this year.
Junior Chris Motes went 7-1 in SoCon singles matches last season and 6-2 in doubles, good enough to earn a spot on the All-SoCon Second Team.
Walters also looks to improve on last season, in which he posted a 14-11 singles as well as a 10-1 doubles record with Ladyman.
Sophomores Sawyer Duncan, Andrei Chvetsov and Philip Fuelkell are other players that will compete for action in the top rotation.
Finally, Scarpa will look to seniors Ethan Asher and Jason Basile, juniors Bob Bruner and Chris Rhyne, and freshman Watson George for added depth this season.