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Roster
WATERBURY, Conn. – Seven new faces joined the Post University men's tennis team this season, and many have already made an impact in the first semester of competition. Since head coach
Rob Howard took over the program, the Eagles have flown higher each year than the one before. Couple the experience of four returners with record-setting fall results, and one can see the Post Eagles are poised for a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) title run this spring.
“Our team is a lot stronger this year and we're looking forward to playing tougher matches,” Howard said. “Ever since I've been at Post, we've done nothing but break records. We've steadily moved upward and forward. The kids I've recruited this year are going to put Post on the map.”
A Look Back At The Fall
On Monday, Sept. 19,
Dreshawn Lewis (Norwalk, Conn.) reached the third round of the United States Tennis Association (USTA)/Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Regional Tennis Championship, the best finish in program history. Lewis notched an 8-1 victory over Bentley's Alec Spycher in the first round, and followed it up with an 8-3 triumph against Evan Eaton of Southern New Hampshire. Lewis eventually fell to Aaron Bergeron of Stonehill in the third round. The final score was 8-4.
“Dreshawn has been the sleeper on our team this season,” Howard said. “He has improved his game so much, and he will be able to help our team in a number of ways. Dreshawn is more consistent and more match-ready than when we brought him in. He is going to be very helpful for us this year.”
Singles
In three of its four wins a season ago, Post won at least four singles matches to help the squad to victories over Albertus Mangus, Caldwell and Bloomfield. Of the returning players, four of the top six players in the singles lineup will be back for the Eagles. Included in the mix is
Danny Bonamassa (Staten Island, N.Y.) who set a single-season record for wins during the 2011 campaign with seven. The win served as the lone point in season-ending 8-1 setback against Philadelphia on April 15.
Other returners to the singles lineup include
Michael MacDonald (Stamford, Conn.),
Markeese MCleod (Waterbury, Conn.) and
Mark Risbridger (South Hampton, England). Freshman
Peter Fanous (Cairo, Egypt) will be inserted into the top spot in the singles lineup.
“Peter will be the number one singles player, and that drops Christ-Brian [Amedjonekou] to second singles and Dreshawn to number three,” Howard said. “Dreshawn was having success at two. The players I've been able to bring in helps our singles lineup. We can now properly place Markeese and Danny so they can both have successful seasons.”
Doubles
Success in the doubles play led Post to wins a season ago. In all four of the team's 2011 triumphs, the Eagles won at least two doubles matches, and against Caldwell, Post swept the doubles point and won all three points contested.
MCleod and MacDonald, who played second doubles, are both back for the upcoming season and their experience together should be an asset to the continued success of the Post doubles pairs.
“By having the new recruits we'll be able to change the lineup drastically,” Howard said. “The doubles is continuously improving because there is a great deal of competition for the third doubles spot. Peter and Dreshawn will team up, as will Christ-Brian and Mateus [Garcia].”
Schedule
The men's tennis team will challenge itself with a tough schedule this spring. In addition to a seven-match conference slate, which includes a contest with #4 Concordia (N.Y.), the Eagles will also host the University of District Columbia in their home opener on Friday, March 9. The Firebirds are the ranked third in the East Region according to the most recent rankings compiled by the ITA.
“We played UDC at their place last year, and we're excited to play them at home,” Howard said. “We think with our team as strong as it is, the competition will help us get ready for CACC play. Our conference is very strong, so that good strong competition will help from the start.”
Post will also play host to Chestnut Hill (March 16), University of the Sciences (March 24), American International College (March 29), Caldwell (March 31), Bloomfield (April 3), NYIT (April 9) and St. Thomas Aquinas (April 12).
