Eagles Gear up for SoCon Tourney

STATESBORO, Ga. – Expectations remain high as the Georgia Southern men’s tennis team heads to Charleston, S.C., for their first round matchup against UNC Greensboro in tomorrow’s opening round of play at the Southern Conference Tournament.

The Eagles are seeded seventh, while the Spartans of UNC Greensboro earned the 10th-seed heading into Thursday’s match.

This year, GSU has compiled an 8-11 record, which includes a 4-5 conference mark. The eight victories are the most by a men’s team since the 2004 season when they collected 10 victories. The Eagles believe that with the experience and depth of this year’s squad anything is possible.

“I expect to compete hard,” said GSU coach Justin Miles. “With everyone healthy I think we can make a deep run in the tournament.”

Having already faced stiff competition will surely benefit Georgia Southern heading into the SoCon Tournament. In fact, four of GSU’s 19 matches have been against ranked opponents and the Eagles have fared well in all, but one of those contests. Individually the Eagles have contested against nationally ranked opponents and have enjoyed success. Senior Emmanuel Nkoueleue (Douala, Cameroon) dropped Florida Atlantic’s Oliver Sajour back in February. Sajour was ranked No. 56 in the nation when Nkoueleue defeated him. He also ousted USC Upstate’s Sandy Franz in straight 6-3 sets. Franz was ranked No. 96 earlier this year.

As for individual honors, Nkoueleue received the Southern Conference Men’s Tennis Player of the Week award for his performance on the court against Presbyterian and Florida Atlantic earlier this season. It was the first time in his career that he had received the honor and he’s the only Eagle to earn the award this season.

Nkoueleue has amassed the most victories for GSU this season. He boasts a 10-7 dual singles record and is 20-11 overall this season. Junior Joris De Weerdt (Mortsel, Belgium) and sophomores Borja Malet (Barcelona, Spain) and Gregory Bekkers (Antwerp, Belgium) all have nine wins this season. De Weerdt has posted an overall record of 14-14, while Malet and Bekkers both carry a 5-5 conference mark.

In doubles action, the tandem of Nkoueleue and Malet have compiled a 12-6 dual record and are an impressive 18-10 overall. Bekkers and teammate Philip Prins (Cape Town, South Africa) have earned a 6-2 record in SoCon matches and are 7-5 in dual doubles action.

The Southern Conference Tournament begins tomorrow, with the No. 7 seeded Eagles matched up against the 10th-seeded Spartans of UNC Greensboro. The match is scheduled to begin at noon.

Category: Men's Tennis

Published on Wednesday, 16 April 2008 00:24