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St. Cloud State University
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Sports
Tennis teams off to nationals for more success
By Ben Birnell
Published:
Thursday, May 1, 2003
Both the SCSU men's and women's tennis teams took another step in their stellar seasons this past week as both teams received bids to participate in the 2003 NCAA Division II men and women's tennis championships.
The women clawed their way into the playoffs after acquiring an overall record of 21-5 in the regular season. They draw NCC rival, the University of Northern Colorado in the first round, which is to be played in Denver, Colo., May 2-4. UNC had a regular season record of 11-10.
The bid marks the second trip to the NCAA tournament for the Huskies, who also made the tournament field in 1995. Head coach Larry Sundby said that even though his players haven't been to the NCAA Tournament before, he anticipates his team will do fine.
"I've told my players not to be intimidated because it's a national tournament," Sundby said. "I told them I hope they play well and use this experience to their advantage going into next season."
Sundby also stated that players from the men's team have also shared their wisdom on the tournament with his team to help them ease into it a little bit easier.
"The men's players told them some helpful things," Sundby said. "But I think we're plenty focused and should do well enough to pull out an upset against UNC."
The Huskies tied a team record this season by posting 21 wins, a feat in which the team reached in 1999 and 2002. At the 2003 NCC championships April 17-18, the Huskies placed fourth behind the University of North Dakota, UNC and the University of Nebraska-Omaha. Sophomore Sara Eull and first-year player Courtney Hover claimed first place at the No. 2 doubles position at the NCC championships.
On the men's side of things, the Huskies gained their third consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament, who also made the 61-team tournament field in 2001 and 2002. The Huskies, coming into the tournament with an 18-5 overall record, will play Metropolitan State (16-3) in the first round in Maryville, Mo., May 2-4.
Head coach Jerry Anderson said his team has high hopes going into the tournament.
"We're very excited," Anderson said. "There's a couple of teams we know we can play against, so we're looking forward to it. We haven't played Metropolitan State before, so it's something new for us. But, we should do okay.
The Huskies tournament trips in 2001 and 2002 were cut short with first round losses. Anderson said that he thinks this year will be different for his team.
"Two years ago, we didn't think we belonged or could win at the tournament. Last year, we didn't think we could win. This year we think we belong and we can win, so it should be very exciting to watch this team participate."
The Huskies are fresh off winning their 10th NCC title April 18-19 in Omaha, Neb. SCSU charted 41 points, finishing narrowly ahead of UNC (40 points). The Huskies had three players win singles titles in Titus Christianson, co-captain Casey Haselwander and Josh Lunak. The two doubles teams of Bryan Baumann, Bob Skenzich and Lunak and Christianson won titles also.
The men's tennis team has won more NCC conference titles than any other sport at SCSU. The team is also tied for the most team titles among league schools. UNC, Augustana, UND and the Huskies all have won 10 NCC titles in men's team tennis.
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