Men's Tennis 1/28/2016 9:50:00 AM

LION TENNIS SET TO OPEN 2016 SEASON THIS WEEKEND

FLORENCE – The University of North Alabama men's and women's tennis teams are each set to open their respective seasons this weekend by taking the court against Division I opponents on the road. The women's team will travel to Tennessee on Saturday to face Belmont while the UNA men will face UAB on Sunday in Birmingham.

"We are always excited to get the season started and to open with Belmont and UAB," said UNA head tennis coach Brice Bishop. "Playing two quality opponents in our first matches will show us where we are."

The UNA women will play at 5 p.m. Saturday at the Brentwood Indoor Tennis Center. The Lions went 10-8 last season and return four players from 2015, including No. 1 singles player Olivera Ngouabeu. The junior from Paris, France is a two-time All-Gulf South Conference selection. UNA also returns juniors Avery King (Vestavia Hills, Ala.) and Morgan Jose (Huntsville, Ala.) as well as sophomore Sydney Childers (Florence, Ala.).

"We are going to have to depend on our returning playing early since we will be playing so many freshman this year," said Bishop. "Oli (Ngouabeu) is our top returning player and can be as good as she wants to be."

Donna Haycock will also be expected to be a factor at the top of the lineup. The sophomore from George, South Africa is a transfer from Illinois State.

A total of five freshmen could see playing time on the court for the Lions this season. Nele Seitz (Berlin, Germany), Claudia Arroyo Lastres (Zuheros, Spain), Claire DeGeorge (Collierville, Tenn.), Molly Mason (Rogersville, Ala.) and Ali Gean (Adamsville, Tenn.) are all expected get opportunities this spring.

"Anytime you have this many freshman it's a concern," added Bishop. "But I've been impressed with how they have worked and how they competed this fall. This is probable the deepest team I've ever coached. We need to play a match to see where we are. Saturday can't come fast enough."

On the Men's side, the Lions return seven players from a team that 13-6 last season and earned the No. 3 seed in the GSC tournament. UNA will make its annual season-opening trip to Birmingham to face the Blazers at 1 p.m. at the Lakeshore Tennis Center.

"I appreciate Coach Tarr for playing us every year," Bishop said. "This is a great way to evaluate our team against a very good program."

Last year, UNA finished No. 36 in the final ITA rankings. The Lions will be lead by senior Guillaume Dechoz (Mulhouse, France), who finished the season individually ranked in the top 50. Dechoz was also a first team All-GSC selection after posting an 11-6 record at No. 1 singles. "Returning one of the top players in the nation is huge," said Bishop. "Guillaume is not only a great player but a great leader."

Sophomores Brendon Millington-Herrmann (Berlin, Germany) and Miguel Garcia (Tenerife, Spain) return after a solid year at No. 2 and No. 3 respectively. Junior Max Druppel (Gevelsbery, Germany) is also returning after two successful seasons at North Alabama.

"The sky is the limit for these two guys. I was impressed with the development of Brendon and Miguel last year," added Bishop. "They can play with anybody. Max also just wins. It doesn't matter where he plays, he just finds ways to win matches."

Taylor Ausbon (Huntsville, Ala.) is also coming off a successful freshman season while senior Ali Murad (Lahore, Pakistan) is entering his final season after playing at No. 5 singles for two straight years. Javier Cordero (Alicante, Spain) is another member of the team's talented sophomore class.

"Taylor won some huge matches last year, clinching the match against West Alabama and Delta State early to get us going in the right direction. Ali is our hardest worker and I love his enthusiasm and Intensity on the court. Javier was playing his best tennis and the end of the last season and I expect him to be an important part of this year's success."

Benjamin Poire (Amiens, France) returns as a graduate student after a successful 2014 season. The Lions added one freshman this season, Asher Roddy (Sheffield, Ala.).
"Benji returning has really added to this team. He was ranked Top 25 in doubles in 2014. Asher continues to work hard and to develop to the college game. This is by far the deepest team I've ever had. There is very little difference in the top eight players with each one bringing his own strengths to the team."

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Players Mentioned

Taylor Ausbon: Sophomore

Javier Cordero: Sophomore

Guillaume Dechoz: Senior

Max Druppel: Junior

Miguel Garcia: Sophomore

Brendon Millington-Herrmann: Sophomore

Ali Murad: Senior

Benjamin Poire: Graduate Student

Asher Roddy: Freshman

Sydney Childers: Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Taylor Ausbon
: Sophomore

Javier Cordero
: Sophomore

Guillaume Dechoz
: Senior

Max Druppel
: Junior

Miguel Garcia
: Sophomore

Brendon Millington-Herrmann
: Sophomore

Ali Murad
: Senior

Benjamin Poire
: Graduate Student

Asher Roddy
: Freshman

Sydney Childers
: Sophomore