Feb. 22, 2008
SAN DIEGO -
SDSU Men's Tennis Weekly Release in PDF Format
SDSU MEN'S TENNIS SET FOR 2008 HOME OPENER VS. MEMPHIS THIS WEEKEND
* After opening the 2008 season with five matches away from "America's Finest City," the San Diego State men's tennis team returns to the friendly environs of Montezuma Mesa this weekend when it squares off against Memphis on Saturday, Feb. 23, at Aztec Tennis Center. First serve for SDSU's 2008 home opener is set for 2 p.m. PT. The Aztecs and Tigers were originally scheduled to play on Feb. 24 at noon, but the threat of rain forecast for Sunday prompted the switch.
SDSU, ranked 50th in the latest ITA poll, is coming off a split in its two matches last weekend in Tucson, Ariz. On Feb. 16, the Scarlet and Black knocked off Minnesota, 5-2, sweeping doubles competition and taking four of six singles encounters. Two days later, San Diego State and Arizona locked horns in a epic battle that lasted almost five hours. The Wildcats prevailed by the same 5-2 count, however, as the host school captured a spirited doubles point to go along with four hard-fought victories in singles play. Trailing 3-2, the Aztecs held one-set leads in their final two matches, but were unable to close out their Arizona adversaries.
SCOUTING THE TIGERS
* Memphis is off to a 5-2 start so far this season and currently owns a three-match winning streak. The Tigers swept a doubleheader at home in their last time out, taking down Nicholls State, 6-1, before pinning a 7-0 shutout on Lipscomb. Prior to Saturday's dual with the Aztecs, Memphis will square off against the University of San Diego.
Individually, the Tigers are led by freshman Leon Naseman, who owns a 6-1 record in dual-match competition alternating between the second and third singles positions. Fellow classmate Michael Gaerthoeffner (5-2), has also spent time at No. 2, while senior Amrit Narasimhan (5-2) has occupied the top of Memphis' ladder this spring. Narasimhan is also the Tigers' top doubles winner on the season, teaming with sophomore Charlie Ramsay for a 13-2 overall record and 6-1 mark in duals.
At the helm for Memphis is fourth-year head coach Paul Goebel, who was a four-time all-conference honoree while playing for Middle Tennessee State from 1990-1994.
SERIES HISTORY VS. MEMPHIS
* Saturday's encounter with the Tigers will be the first-ever meeting between the two schools. The Aztecs possess a 13-12 record against Conference USA teams dating back to 1989. The last time SDSU faced an opponent from C-USA was Feb. 15, 2003, when the Aztecs dropped a close 4-3 decision to Tulane at the Great Northwest Shootout in Seattle, Wash. The Scarlet and Black will also welcome another C-USA member to Montezuma Mesa this season when it tangles with Rice at Aztec Tennis Center on March 3.
UPSET SPECIAL
* Junior Bartosz Golas has continued to impress in his first campaign on The Mesa, splitting his last two matches at the No. 1 singles position against nationally ranked opponents. After a tough three-set defeat to 46th-ranked Raoul Schwark of Minnesota on Feb. 16, Golas rebounded two days later with an upset of Arizona's then-No. 37 Claudio Christen in the Aztecs' 5-2 loss to the Wildcats. After falling behind early, Golas battled back to force a third set where he ultimately prevailed, 3-6, 6-3, 7-5.
MORE SCHEDULE CHANGES
* SDSU's match against Fresno State, which was rained out on Feb. 3, has been rescheduled for Thursday, Feb. 28 at Aztec Tennis Center. First serve is set for 1:30 p.m. The Scarlet and Black was originally slated to face cross-town rival San Diego on the road that day; however, that dual has been switched to Wednesday, March 19, with a 1:30 p.m. starting time at USD's West Courts.
YOUTH SHALL BE SERVED IN `08
* After losing four seniors off its 2007 roster, including Mountain West Conference player of the year Markus Dickhardt and all-MWC performer Christian Groh, San Diego State has taken on a decidedly youthful appearance this season. The Aztecs possess just one junior on this year's squad to go along with five sophomores and four freshmen (one redshirt). While growing pains are to be expected, success has not eluded this youthful bunch either. After capturing MWC freshman ofthe year honors in 2007, Achim Ceban teamed with Bartosz Golas to capture the doubles crown at the National Collegiate Tennis Classic last month in Indian Wells, Calif. Ceban also reached the singles final at the NCTC, while Golas was named MWC player of week for his efforts in both the tournament and the season opener against UC Riverside.
LOOKING FOR THE RIGHT COMBINATION
* When Achim Ceban combined with sophomore transfer Jordan Colman at the No. 3 doubles position against Minnesota on Feb.16, it marked the 14th different tandem utilized by head coach Gene Carswell this season. However, that figure should not seem surprising. After all, SDSU employed 21 different pairings last year, even with a veteran cast.
CARSWELL IN CHARGE
* ne Carswell is in his 10th season at San Diego State and fifth as head coach of the Scarlet and Black. In four-plus seasons at the helm, the Aztecs' mentor has guided SDSU to three straight Mountain West Conference regular-season titles, while compiling an overall record of 60-33 (.645) in the process. In each of the past three years, the native San Diegan has taken home MWC coach of the year accolades, leading San Diego State to a 17-0 league mark during that stretch. Prior to his present duties, Carswell was an Aztec assistant for five years from 1998-2003, earning a pair of ITA regional assistant coach of the year honors in 2001 and 2003.
REDONDO RETURNS
* Head coach Gene Carswell welcomed back one of the program's best last September when he announced the hiring of former Aztec star Ryan Redondo as the team's new assistant coach.
A native of Carlsbad, Calif., Redondo returns to Montezuma Mesa after competing on the USTA, ITF and ATP professional tours. He also spent time during the past year coaching privately in nearby Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., while completing his degree in religion at San Diego State.
One of the most prolific players in Aztec history, Redondo garnered All-America accolades in 2002 and 2003 and still holds the school record with 59 career doubles victories, along with partner Oliver Maiberger.