Men's Tennis Opens 2000 Season Against Hawaii
1/20/2000 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
The 2000 men's tennis season kicks off Thursday when the Gaels host the University of Hawaii at 3:00 pm. Saint Mary's will once again face one of the most competitive schedules in school history, squaring off against top teams such as Fresno State, California, Oregon, Pepperdine, and the rest of the schools in the West Coast Conference.
Fifth year head coach Michael Wayman is setting his sights on a top three finish in the West Coast Conference. The team returns its top two seniors in Tomas Filipcik and Rex Calaunan, both who will contribute at the top of the singles and doubles line-ups. A three-year letter winner, Filipcik was 8-13 last year. Calaunan, also a three-year player, returns after missing much of the 1999 season with a torn triceps tendon. Despite the injury, he competed in 11 matches, posting a 5-6 record. With a healthy slate, these two players will be key to the team's success this year.
One of the other reasons for the optimism is the amount of competition for some of the lower spots. Currently there are five players competing for the #5 and #6 singles spots. "If we are able to stay healthy this year, we will have great depth at the lower end," said Wayman.
The team has brought in two very talented transfers in Richie Thomson from Foothill J.C. and Arturo Planell from Virginia Commonwealth University. These two will provide leadership and direction at the top of the line-up. Three new freshmen have also joined the squad in Jafar Al Askari, Josh Farley and Deryk Inn. These five players, along with Calaunan and Filipcik, will join returnees Jack Garza, Dominic Massi, Marc Mowrer and Arvind Stokes to fill out the roster.
After battling Hawaii on Thursday, the Gaels will travel to California on Saturday before returning home to host UC Davis on Sunday.
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