Well, it's weird to start the season with the NCAA Regional Championships, but that's the sport of tennis in college. Seven men traveled to national power Emory University and played admirably.
Top player junior Russell Turley of Birmingham, AL was serving 3-5, 40-15 in the third set, when he fell victim to cramps for the third time. He was forced to retire and default in the consolation to teammate Chris Rolen. Freshman Tim Shoptaugh of Baton rouge, LA lost to All American doubles player Chris Fletcher of Methodist in his first collegiate match. He would play better but fall to eventual finalist Mike Robertson of Piedmont.
Junior Brock Newman of Florence, MS was added to the travel team and had the unfortunate task of playing \#4 seed and doubles All-American Keith Criscoe of Methodist. Brock played well in his losing effort, and almost won his consolation match against Centre's Bennett Clark 9-7.
Chris Rolen of Baton Rouge, LA playing in his first collegiate match, came up short against Porter Glover of MC, defeated Russell Turley by default due to injury, and almost defeated Oglethorpe's John Esterline. Chris was hampered by a pulled groin muscle he acquired against Glover in the prior round.
Sophomore Wes Hill of Columbus, MS lost to Adam Bohnert of Rhodes and Centre's \#2 Lon Hays in the consolation. Sophomore Michael Puckett lost the David Pointer of Sewanee and Daniel Rigdon of MC in the consolation.
Freshman Trevor Harris of Austin, TX playing in his first collegiate match lost to Henry Litchfield of Sewanee and lost to Matt Nash of Piedmont in the consolation.
In doubles we had the unfortuante task of playing Emory in 2 of the 3 matches. Turley and Shoptaugh, playing in their first match together, lost the first round to Emory duo of Greg Sturman, singles consolation champ, and his partner Alex Siegel 8-3. They defeated Clarke/Freeman of Centre 8-3, and then lost to Hardy/Sumter 8-4.
Rolen and Puckett, also playing in their first collegiate match together, lost to Emory duo Snyder/Bentz 8-3 and then almost defeated Centre's Vasupuram/Arnold 9-7. Hill and Harris, also playing in their first collegiate match lost to Layton/Siegel of Methodist 8-3, and then after a bye lost to Vasuparam/Arnold 8-5.
There were lots of matches for our taking. With two weeks less practicing than our peers and no matches prior we did very well. Much better than last year we did. In two weeks we will get some more practice with the Millsaps Open Championships.
Nationally ranked NAIA Spring Hill, and nationally ranked JUCOs Gulf Coast, Itawamba, Meridian, along with Belhaven, Pearl River CC, Sourthern Arkansas Univ., Co/Lin CC will make for good matches. We'll hope to see our fans their.
