Season Outlook

Mallory Meyer

The Wittenberg University men's and women's tennis teams have a great deal of talent and experience, which Head Coach Dave Engle hopes will develop into a winning combination by the end of the 2005-06 season.

The Tiger women have the brighter prospects, led by No. 1 singles and doubles player Emily Okerson, a sophomore who takes the reins from one of the finest players in school history, four-year No. 1 singles and doubles standout Emily Figel. Okerson compiled a team-best 19-4 overall record in her first season in the Red & White, primarily playing at the No. 3 singles spot. In doubles, Okerson and Figel were 12-3 overall.

The No. 2 singles spot is reserved for senior Kristyn Russell, who has a 43-20 career record while playing the No. 3-5 spots the last three years. Senior Mallory Meyer, a two-year starter in singles and three-year starter in doubles, junior Emma Robinow, who had an outstanding singles and doubles record two years ago before sitting out the 2004-05 season, and freshman Allison Earhart are in place in the Nos. 3-5 singles positions. SeniorEmily Hodgkiss-Lilly, junior Susan Feuer and sophomore Amanda Williams are all getting opportunities in the No. 6 singles and No. 3 doubles positions.

Shane Hutton

On the men's side, the Tigers are led by senior No. 1 singles and doubles player Shane Hutton, who is in his second year in the team's top position. He has earned multiple All-North Coast Athletic Conference designations in his career.

Senior Nick McLean is back for another go-around in the No. 3 singles spot and the No. 1 doubles position, where was a second-team All-NCAC choice with Hutton in 2005. SeniorSteve Wilson mans the No. 2 singles and No. 2 doubles positions, hoping to build off a positive start to his season a year ago that was cut short by an injury.

Rounding things out, the Tigers send freshman Brad Seymour, junior John Shields and sophomore Ryan Snyder on court to cover the final three singles positions. Snyder was the surprise of the 2004-05 season, joining the team after football season and posting a 17-1 overall record, including a 4-0 mark in the NCAC. Freshman Ryan Eckstein joins Seymour at the No. 3 doubles spot.