HUNTINGDON, Pa. – The Juniata College men's tennis team gets ready to begin its 2010 season with a new squad compared to the previous year. The team lost four players - Casey Chew, Ryan Navarro, Aaron Rhodes, and Jonathan Skoner - from the 2008-09 campaign due to graduation last May.
"We lost four starting seniors which is two thirds of our line-up, but we've filled those spots nicely for the spring. The guys have gone through a major growth spurt," said Head Men's and Women's Tennis Coach Beth Bleil
Although the line-up hasn't been firmed up, the roster began to take shape in the fall season. Jarrad Silver (Bethesda, Md./ Walt Whitman), Arnab Chakrabarti (Alpharetta, Ga./ Alpharetta), Tucker Good (Gettysburg, Pa./ Gettysburg ), Brice Morey (Enola, Pa./ East Pennsboro), and Scott Andrews (Hollidaysburg, Pa./ Altoona) will all be competing for the top spots.
"Our lineup is largely in the fall, however there are students studying abroad that we take into account when they return for the spring semester," said Bleil. "The group has become a lot closer and more cohesive," said Bleil. "They seem to be enjoying themselves."
Silver was a 2008-09 First Team All-Landmark Conference Singles selection, and was also named to the First Team All-Landmark Conference Doubles team with his partner Chakrabarti. He posted a record of 11-9 in singles last season mostly in flight two, and 9-10, in doubles at the number one spot. This fall Silver moves up to the first spot, filling the shoes of Jonathan Skoner.
Chakrabarti, Silver's doubles partner of Silver, was abroad this fall. Chakrabartis earned a spot on the First Team All-Landmark Conference Doubles in 2008-09 with a record of 8-11 in the one spot. He posted a singles record of 9-10 mostly in the fourth position, and was 4-4 in Landmark play.
Good, a sophomore, brings experience to the roster after playing at the second singles position this fall. He will be a major contributor competing for a top flight.
Morey and Andrew kicked off their first season this past fall. Morey saw action in three singles going 2-2 overall. Andrew played in the number four singles and in the one spot for doubles partnered with Silver.
"The team seems to be older and wiser, even from the fall season. They've grown a lot and are more comfortable with each other," said Coach Bleil.
While the competition in the Landmark Conference men's tennis is equally matched, Bleil knows that Juniata has a great chance to earn a playoff spot in the Landmark post-season.
"The teams are evenly matched with talent," said Bleil. "Susquehanna will be a pivotal match for us, and they are an even stronger team this year."
Doubles will be the men's strength in their matches. Silver and Chakrabarti will be partners for two years in a row at the first spot.
"I'm expecting great things in Jarrad and Arnab. We have a two year investment in the partnership," said Bleil. The younger players are stepping up their game and may join Silver and Chakrabarti in the conference rankings.
"I know they can compete with the best of the conference," said Bleil.
In the singles game, the men are improving their technique and shots, while staying aggressive and confident in their abilities.
The men's tennis team begins its spring season Monday, March 8, at 12:30 p.m. versus Eastern Nazarene on its annual spring break trip to Hilton Head, S.C.
