Crimson Tide Men's Tennis Kicks Off Fall Season
9/3/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The University of Alabama men's tennis team begins practice Thursday to kick off the 2003-2004 season, coming off one of the best season's in the past decade.
"We're anxious to get going," Pate said. "We wanted to get the guys, especially the freshmen, acclimated with school but be ready when practice begins. We should be well prepared to start."
Three newcomers will enter the Tide's lineup this season: Mike Green (Fr., Port St. Lucie, Fla.), Luigi D'Agord (Fr., Freeport, Bahamas) and Joseph Jung (Fr., Deerfield Beach, Fla.).
Two of the Tide's three returning singles starters found themselves ranked in the individual preseason polls, release by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Wednesday. Chris Gostek was Alabama's highest ranking singles player at No. 52. Gostek (Sr., Toronto, Canada) was 23-8 last season, including at 15-5 mark at No. 3 singles. Stephen Mitchell (Sr., Capetown, South Africa) was ranked No. 61. The senior compiled a 23-12 singles record last season, playing No. 2 in the singles lineup.
"I think there was a fair assessment of the individuals who were ranked. At least, it gives us a level that we can improve on and give those two seniors a chance to really have an outstanding year. They're goal is to play in singles and doubles in NCAA individual tournament in May.
"There is certainly lot of excitement this year with a new squad and a lot new faces," Pate said. "We look forward to first competition in two weeks in Miami."
The men's fall slate includes individual tournaments at Miami (Sept. 19-21), Virginia (Sept. 26-28) and Georgia Tech (Oct. 10-12). In addition, some Tide players will compete in the ITA All-American Championships (Oct. 3-12), the ITA Region III Indoors (Oct. 16-20) and the ITA National Indoors (Nov. 6-9).
Also on the slate for the men's tennis team this fall is the semi-annual Alabama Tennis Playday (Sept. 14) and a men's tennis alumni reunion weekend beginning on Nov. 15.
