Saturday 2/5 Preview

Finally!

On Saturday, February 5th, the Coe College Men's Tennis Team will open their 2011 dual match season, hosting #49 ranked Wisconsin-Eau Claire and Iowa's top NAIA program, St Ambrose University.

Eau Claire

The BluGolds played in the NCAA tournament the past two years, and had a fantastic 2010 season, beating area power, Carleton. Their one slip-up was a 5-4 loss to Coe, where the Kohawks capitalized on a 4% chance of winning after getting swept in doubles. Eau Claire is led by one of the top #1 players in the Central Region, Chris Kuna. He along with Lars Olson, Eric Wollum and Dirk Van Rybroek return to lead the BluGolds.

St Ambrose

The Bees from nearby Davenport, are historically the top NAIA Tennis school in the state of Iowa. Santiago Gonzalez from Leon, Mexico has been holding down the top spot for the Bees, followed by Michael Harts and Luke Wood. Don't be surprised if former Cedar Rapids Washington High School standout Barney O'Donnell appears at, or near, the top of the lineup, after starring at quarterback this past Fall. His addition to the roster makes St Ambrose a difficult foe. Coe won last year 7-2.

Kohawks

#50 Coe has the good fortune of having 11 players vying for starting positions. Seniors, Elliot Rausa and Scott Stegemann return as the most experienced on the roster and they will team up again at #1 doubles in the only set roster spot. Juniors Victor Khristenko and Jonathan Roger, sophomores, Curtis Newman and Kyle Tucker provide experience also. Newcomer, and former local standout, Jeff Damisch should bolster the strength of the Kohawk lineup. Mike Janssen, Alex Klaas, Daken Starkenburg, and Sean Stokstad also are competing for court time.

Schedule of Play

9am UW-Eau Claire vs Coe
1pm St Ambrose vs UW-Eau Claire
5pm Coe vs St Ambrose