Season Outlook
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.
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Nick McLean
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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.
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Sarah Fassler
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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.