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.
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2012 ODAC MEN'S TENNIS PRESEASON POLL (#) Denotes First Place Votes |
|
1. Washington and Lee (9) |
81 pts. |
2. Bridgewater (1) |
66 pts. |
3. Guilford |
57 pts. |
4. Hampden-Sydney |
56 pts. |
5. Roanoke |
49 pts. |
6. Emory & Henry |
47 pts. |
7. Virginia Wesleyan |
35 pts. |
8. Randolph-Macon |
32 pts. |
9. Lynchburg |
17 pts. |
10. Randolph |
10 pts. |