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Last Updated: Oct 16th, 2008 - 13:33:17 |
The Metro tennis program of 2008-2009 looks very different from last year's men and women's squads, and the head coaching change has produced both new results and comforting similiarities.
The men's squad, last year's Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament champs, are now in need of recruitment. During their preseason conference schedule, which wrapped up last weekend, the men had to forfeit the No. 6 spot in singles play and the No. 3 doubles match because they don't have six eligible players.
"We need a lot of players," Ruckelshausen said. "We've been losing matches just because we don't have enough people."
The biggest loss from last year is Riley Meyer, who provided senior leadership and solid play during last season's RMAC championship run.
"We lost a couple of players last year," head coach Beck Meares said.
"But our top four are really strong."
The women appear to be strong all around this year, going 3-1 in RMAC preseason play over the weekend to post their first winning record in the fall since 2004. On the women's squad, little has changed from last year, where they posted a losing record in the fall and spring. The players think the new coaching staff makes the difference.
"Because we have a better head coach and staff, we have better players," women's co-captain Mitra Hirad said.
Hirad added that although former head coach Dave Alden led the team to numerous titles, Meares, his former assistant, is better for the team because she puts more pressure on the players.
"We've been doing a lot of running, but I like it more," Ruckelshausen said. "She's always helped me on the court."
Next up for Metro tennis is the Intercollegiate Tennis Association regional tournament in Kearney, Neb. Ruckelshausen is confident that this year he could win at regionals and advance to nationals since his toughest regional opponent graduated last year. And the No. 1 men's player has no qualms about playing in Kearney.
"I definitely like playing in Nebraska," he said. "It's low altitude, and I always seem to play good."
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