Season Preview

The 2013 season opens up this Saturday at the friendly confines of the Clark Racquet Center with matches against Wisconsin-Eau Claire(9am) and Principia College(5pm). The following Saturday(2/9) the Kohawks host Wisconsin-LaCrosse(9am) and Monmouth College(5pm). All four schools finished 2012 in the top 25 in the KTeR computer Central Region rankings.

Eau Claire

UWEC finished at #25, but was 2nd in the tough WIAA behind nationally ranked Whitewater. Eau Claire also returns five of six starters and welcomes in a talented class of first-year players. The #1 singles promises to be exciting as EC's top returner, Ryan Vande Linde, owns a win over Coe's #1, Noah Sprinkel. Coach Tom Gillman's teams always feature excellent doubles play with an old-school emphasis on lobs and angles.

Principia College

Principia returns to the Coe schedule in 2013 for the first time since the early 1990's. Principia finished at #21 in the Central Region and dethroned perennial champion Westminster College to capture the SLIAC. Principia returns two starters(#2 & #5) and welcome in a large and talented freshman class headlined by Joey Sander.

LaCrosse

Coach Bill Hehli has compiled one of his best squads of this century as five starters return and the addition of a D1 transfer to slip into the #1 slot vacated by standout Nick Piotrowski. Like Eau Claire, LaCrosse plays formidable doubles and both squads have given Coe fits in doubles play.

Monmouth College

Coach Chad Braun continues to improve the Scot's tennis program that was recently re-started after a ten year hiatus. Monmouth returns four starters from last year's Midwest Conference runner-ups. Chris Franco returns at #1 singles and the strength for the Scots resides in their doubles play at the #1 and #2 spots.

Coe College

The Kohawks lost two outstanding players, Victor Khristenko and Jonathan Roger, to graduation, but do have an outstanding group of first year players and returners. Saturday will mark the debut appearance for Geoffrey Brochet, Zack Decker, Riley Galbraith, Ryan Hickman, Yasushi Inoue, and Mark Kroll.  Returning starters include Noah Sprinkel(#1), Sean Stokstad(#3), Jeff Damisch(#4), Curtis Newman(#5) and Mike Woolfe(#2d). Junior lettermen, Alex Klaas, Mike Janssen and Daken Starkenburg are also in the mix for playing time. Coe has high hopes for this year, with outstanding depth providing spirited and competitive practice sessions.