Generals Collect Nine First Place Votes, Bridgewater Gets One

FOREST, Va. --- Washington and Lee University secured nine first place votes and 81 total points to lead the 2012 ODAC Men's Tennis Preseason Poll.  Bridgewater College picked up the remaining top nod on the way to 66 tallies.  Just one point separates Guilford College (57) from Hampden-Sydney College (56) in the battle for third.

National rankings following the fall schedule feature a couple of Generals high atop the charts.  Hayden White, W&L's top singles player, is ranked 18th nationally and fifth in the Atlantic South Region by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA).  He's joined by newcomer Michael Goldstein, who owns rankings of 48th nationally and 11th regionally.  As a team, the Generals are slotted ninth in the region.

Washington and Lee (15-4 overall, 9-0 in ODAC play in 2011) welcomes back six all-conference singles players a pair of doubles teams from the squad that won its second straight and 30th overall ODAC title.  White (13-3 at #1 singles) leads the charge after his second straight All-ODAC First Team nod.  He's joined by four other first team singles players including Jeremy Becht (12-3 at #2-s), Michael Freeman (6-1 at #3-s, 4-1 at #4-s), Jonathan Gaffney (5-2 at #4-s) and Ben Fass (6-2 at #5-s, 3-1 at #6-s).  Brian Roberts (9-0 at #6-s) was an All-ODAC Honorable Mention singles choice.  In doubles play, White and Freeman (7-0 at #3 doubles) formed the first team #3 doubles pairing, while Becht and Gaffney (5-3 at #2-d) were tabbed to the second team at #2 doubles.

Bridgewater (14-7, 7-2) is one of three teams under leadership in 2012 as Marty Perry takes hold of the Eagles coaching reins following the departure of 2011 ODAC Coach of the Year, Conor Smith.  Perry enjoys the return of BC's top singles player from a season ago in All-ODAC Second Team choice at #1 singles, Peter Hawkins (13-6 at #1-s).

Guilford (7-10, 4-5) features the return of three all-conference performers, including 2011 ODAC Rookie of the Year, Tyler Mercier (12-3 at #1-s).  Mercier was tabbed to the second team at the top singles flight, and he was joined by partner Clayton Hamilton (12-4 at #1-d) as the second team duo at #1 doubles.  Ben Nelson (5-5 combined at #5 and #6 singles) is back after earning an honorable mention spot.

Hampden-Sydney (11-4, 8-1) must replace the production from four 2011 all-conference honorees, including Player of the Year Rich Pugh.  Kevin Calhoun (8-3 at #3-s) looks to help with that effort after an honorable mention choice as a singles player.  He and the graduated Shad Harrell were tabbed to the first team at #2 doubles after going 11-3 from that ladder position.

Roanoke (6-6, 6-3) also welcomes back one all-conference athlete.  James Lee (7-3 at #2-s) was a second teamer at #2 singles.  He and former teammate Jon Roy went 8-2 at #1 doubles to earn billing on the first team.

Emory & Henry (12-9, 4-5) has three all-conference Wasps slated to return for new head coach Dustin Hale.  Matt Nelson (8-0 at #3-s, 7-2 at #2-s) was tabbed to the second team at #3 singles.  He and Chip Wintringham (5-4 at #1-s) combined for a 9-4 record at #1 singles to earn a spot on the first team.  Adam Henderson (5-3 at #1-s, 4-3 at #2-s) was named to the honorable mention team as a singles player.

Virginia Wesleyan (4-12, 4-5) also is under new leadership in 2012 as Tom Drabczyk begins his first season as Director of Tennis (for both men and women) at his alma mater.  His group of returning players includes Donnie Greathouse, who combined with the since departed Jamie Griffin for a 7-7 doubles record and a second team selection at #3 doubles.

Randolph-Macon (3-10, 1-8), Lynchburg (4-11, 2-7) and Randolph (4-15, 0-9) look to continue their climb up the conference ladder.  The Yellow Jackets welcome back their #1 singles player in Frank Donnelly (3-9 at #1-s).  Derek Kegerreis (4-9 at #2-s) returns for the Hornets after spending his sophomore year as the squad's #2 singles player.  Jason Corsbie (2-10 at #2-s, 2-2 at #3-s) leads the WildCats into the 2012 campaign after spending most of his time as Randolph's #2 singles player as a freshman.

Listed below is the 2012 ODAC Men's Tennis Preseason Poll.  For more information, visit any of the participating schools’ websites, or go to the ODAC’s home on the Internet at www.odaconline.com.  Don’t forget to become a fan of the ODAC on Facebook by clicking HERE.  You can also follow the ODAC on Twitter by clicking HERE.