Getting a jump on the tennis season
Though competition is usually reserved for the spring, Colonels look to test mettle at fall tourney
Keith Ritchie
Issue date: 10/1/09 Section: Sports
Although tennis is traditionally a spring sport, Eastern's men's and women's tennis teams are already competing at full speed.
The Eastern men's and women's teams will travel together for the first time this fall to the 26th annual Tennessee-Chattanooga Steve Baras Fall Classic on Friday.
With nearly 190 college tennis players representing 17 schools, this year's two-day tournament is the largest in the event's history.
Since the tennis season doesn't officially start until January, team members compete as individuals, not affecting the team's overall record.
Eastern's top four men kicked off their fall play in the Virginia Fall Invitational on Sept. 13. The four Colonels went a combined 8-6.
Junior Alex Das Izquierdo beat Nebraska's David Bendheim, who was ranked 75th in the nation.
Rob Oertel, the Eastern men's and women's tennis coach, is optimistic about Izquierdo.
"He is one of the best players in the conference," Oertel said. "He has the potential to be in the top 100 in the country."
Players from the women's team began fall play in the Evansville Invitational on Sept. 19.
Junior Myriem Mhirit and Senior Anais Hamel reached the finals of the Flight B doubles bracket.
Oertel said he can't wait until the team season begins.
"No mater how well players do in the fall, it doesn't matter in terms of the season," Oertel said.
Oertel said the fall season gives players the opportunity to prepare for the team season because of the high level of competition. He said come spring, although it's an individual sport, everyone is competing for the team as a whole.
Part of the reason for Oertel's enthusiasm could be the Colonels' potential to win the OVC this year.
"Expectations are high," Oertel said. "I'll be surprised if we aren't picked to finish first this year. Six of the top seven guys are returning from last year."
The women's team has five of eight former players returning this year.
"We have a good core on the women's team," he added.
Both teams were undefeated in the OVC in 2008-09.
Oertel added he is still recruiting for both teams, and a lot of the success depends on this recruiting period.
The Eastern men's and women's teams will travel together for the first time this fall to the 26th annual Tennessee-Chattanooga Steve Baras Fall Classic on Friday.
With nearly 190 college tennis players representing 17 schools, this year's two-day tournament is the largest in the event's history.
Since the tennis season doesn't officially start until January, team members compete as individuals, not affecting the team's overall record.
Eastern's top four men kicked off their fall play in the Virginia Fall Invitational on Sept. 13. The four Colonels went a combined 8-6.
Junior Alex Das Izquierdo beat Nebraska's David Bendheim, who was ranked 75th in the nation.
Rob Oertel, the Eastern men's and women's tennis coach, is optimistic about Izquierdo.
"He is one of the best players in the conference," Oertel said. "He has the potential to be in the top 100 in the country."
Players from the women's team began fall play in the Evansville Invitational on Sept. 19.
Junior Myriem Mhirit and Senior Anais Hamel reached the finals of the Flight B doubles bracket.
Oertel said he can't wait until the team season begins.
"No mater how well players do in the fall, it doesn't matter in terms of the season," Oertel said.
Oertel said the fall season gives players the opportunity to prepare for the team season because of the high level of competition. He said come spring, although it's an individual sport, everyone is competing for the team as a whole.
Part of the reason for Oertel's enthusiasm could be the Colonels' potential to win the OVC this year.
"Expectations are high," Oertel said. "I'll be surprised if we aren't picked to finish first this year. Six of the top seven guys are returning from last year."
The women's team has five of eight former players returning this year.
"We have a good core on the women's team," he added.
Both teams were undefeated in the OVC in 2008-09.
Oertel added he is still recruiting for both teams, and a lot of the success depends on this recruiting period.
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