Men's Tennis: Norwich To Open 2010 Season Wednesday Versus Castleton State
NORTHFIELD, Vt. - The Norwich University men's tennis team will embark upon its 2010 campaign on Wednesday, March 10, when the Cadets host in-state rival Castleton State College at Shapiro Field House at 4 p.m.
The team will take on a new look this season. The Cadets no longer have the services of two-time GNAC “Player of the Year” Peter Hooper, who exhausted his eligibility after last season.
The success of the Cadets will rely on the performances of a trio of seniors: Chris Pashley, Matt Sanford and Travis Tyler. All three have been named as second team All-GNAC performers during their careers, and they certainly have the ability to take Norwich to the next level. Sanford will likely look to step up to play number one singles for the first time in his career this spring. Sophomores Collin Hyte and Graham Oliveira should continue to improve and help the Cadets’ cause this spring. Hyte was an All-GNAC second team honoree as a freshman, and returns as one of the league’s top players this spring. Oliveira can be dangerous if he can add consistency to his game this season.
Along with the four returners, the future of Norwich tennis looks bright as the Cadets welcome six freshmen to the team. Fritz Kaelber looks set to immediately challenge to be the number one or two singles player on the team. Mike Settle and Dennis Ortiz have also looked good in preseason and should push to make the starting line-up. Joining them and needing to gain experience are Logan O’Neill, Alex Holst and Alex Gordon.
If the Cadets expect to be successful in 2010, they will need to win matches towards the bottom of their roster and also must use doubles as a tool to winning matches.
The team’s primary goals are to finish with an above .500 record and qualify for the GNAC Tournament, where anything is possible.
