Jan. 20, 2000

Without a returning player from last year’s squad, the 1999-2000 men’s tennis team has a lot to learn. But, after a successful fall season it looks as though the foundation has been laid for success in the MCC this season.

A pair of freshman, Karl Morgan and Nick Bodmer, proved right away to be Division I ready, as they combined to go 15-9 in the fall season, 4-2 as a doubles team. Morgan especially finished the fall slate on a high note, winning his final three matches.

“Bodmer has come right in and shown he is ready to play,” Head Coach Chuck Cunningham said. “For Karl, the same thing can be said. He is the most intense competitor we have.”

Bill Schmidt, who played for the Flames two seasons ago before taking time off to concentrate on academics, tripled his career win total by going 3-9 in the fall. He capped the fall with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Dave Padilla of Bradley in the Flames’ 4-3 loss to the Braves.

Freshman Angel Ochoa had his ups and downs in his first crack at Division I tennis, going 4-9 in the fall. Ochoa and Schmidt were also an effective doubles team, recording a 2-5 record.

Senior Jason Kerr also showed well in the fall, finishing at 2-4 in singles play.

As a team, the Flames went 0-3 in the fall season, including a pair heartbreaking 3-4 losses versus Saint Louis and at Bradley.

Despite the tough start, Cunningham likes his chances of a return to the finals of the MCC Tournament.

“We’ve seen Green Bay and Butler. I’d put us just behind Green Bay, with Butler being the team to beat. Wright State is really unknown,” commented Cunningham. “The key to all of this is to stay healthy.”

The Flames are looking to improve on their 7-16 record of a year ago and third place finish in the MCC. The spring season gets underway this weekend with a pair of road matches. On Friday, Jan. 21, Cunningham's crew will take on Eastern Michigan, who they lost to 5-2 last season, in Ypsilanti, Mich., before battling IUPU-Ft. Wayne, who the Flames downed 9-0 in '99, on Saturday afternoon.