2/14/2008 - PREVIEW: Key to the Bruins' 2008 Season Will be Remaining Injury-Free
NEWBERG, Ore. - If the George Fox University Bruins are to go anywhere during the upcoming 2008 men's tennis campaign, head coach Rick Cruz says there is one thing the team absolutely must have - an injury-free season.
"We have six returning players with experience, and two newcomers who are projects, so we have no margin for error," says Cruz, who is entering his 10th season as the coach of the men's program at his alma mater.
The Bruins are coming off season in which they went 4-12, all in Northwest Conference play, and finished seventh in the league standings, missing the NWC Tournament by one spot. Two players are gone from that team, including No. 1 player Kyle Pearson.
Left-hander Mac Ovenell (Sr., Cashmere, Wash. / Cashmere HS), who was 2-13 at No. 2 singles last season, is the heir apparent for the top spot, but is being challenged by up-and-coming Nick Jenness (So., Gresham, Ore. / Sam Barlow HS), who was 4-12 at No. 3, and Ralf Schulz (Jr., Lake Oswego, Ore. / Lake Oswego HS), who was 2-10 at No. 4. "The competition between them has been strong and has made all of them better," says Cruz, "so they should hold down our top three positions."
Back to bolster the lower half of the order are Jordon Vargas (Sr., Camano Island, Wash. / Stanwood HS) and Shawn McKenzie (Sr., Lake Oswego, Ore. / Lakeridge HS). Vargas was 5-11 at No. 5 and McKenzie 3-10 at No. 6 last spring. The Bruins also received a shot in the arm with the return of Billy Johnson (So., Salem, Ore. / McKay HS), who went 5-9 in singles, mostly at No. 4, and 9-5 in doubles as a freshman two seasons ago but went to the University of Oregon last year (he did not compete in tennis for UO).
"Billy is an aggressive, intense player who should give us an additional spark," Cruz comments. "He and Vargas and McKenzie have comparable skills, and depending on how each is playing, we could move them around in the 4 through 6 slots."
Rounding out the roster are Scott Porter (Jr., Salem, Ore. / Salem Academy) and Ryan Wilson (Fr., Salem, Ore. / Scappoose HS). "Neither has much experience, but they are available if we need them," says Cruz.
In doubles, the Bruins will probably start with Jenness and Schulz at No. 1, Johnson and Vargas at No. 2, and Ovenell and McKenzie at No. 3, though those pairings and places are also subject to change, depending on how the season progresses.
"Our goal, as it is each season, is to play well enough to make the top six in the conference and play in the conference tournament," points out Cruz. "However, with no depth, our task is that much harder. Because we really won't be breaking in any new players, we will be focusing on sharpening each player's skills, developing their mental approach to the game and seeking improvement from one match to the next."
The season opens for the Bruins Friday at home against Whitworth University with a 2:00 p.m. match at the GFU campus courts. The same two teams will square off again Saturday at 10:00 a.m. before Whitman College, ranked 15th in the NCAA Division III, meets the Bruins later that afternoon at 3:00 p.m.