In a brilliant finish last season, the Penn State Behrend men's tennis team captured their third straight Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) championship title after posting a 9-1 regular-season record. The Lions will return in hopes to hang the program's sixth banner.
This year, the men's tennis team will concentrate on its overall doubles play to return to the title match. "The key factor in deciding this year's champion will be in the doubles competition," said Barger, who knows a little about coaching championship teams.
Barger, now in his 13th season as head men's and women's tennis coach, is returning three starters from a year ago. The conference's most winningest coach with five AMCC titles and five Coach of the Year accolades believes his team is poised for another historic year.
"It always feels good to win a conference title," said Barger. "We worked very hard last season and we had some guys really pick it up and take it to the next level."
The face of the 2011 Lion's team will be three-time AMCC Player of the Year Elliot Blackstone. Blackstone posted a perfect 9-0 mark at the No.1 singles spot and 7-0 at the No.1 doubles position a year ago. Blackstone teams up with Jake Fling, Jason Grosch, John Michalko and Juan Santiago to complete the senior class.
"This is going to be a good senior class with a lot of experience," said Barger. "They have been part of three AMCC championships so they know what it takes to win."
With a roster absent of juniors, Behrend will rely heavily on the underclassmen. The sophomore class is made of Chris Galvin, Brian Goda and Chris Tillman. Galvin is back after a freshmen campaign in which he went 5-2 at the No. 2 singles and 5-0 with Blackstone in No. 1 doubles. The 2010 Newcomer of the Year also earned First-Team All-Conference in No.1 doubles. Goda and Tillman are new additions to the Lion's roster and look to earn time on the court.
"The upcoming season should be interesting," said Barger. "We have lost four starters from a year ago so our new guys will have to step in and play a lot."
Freshmen, Domininick Rodriguez will be asked to carry some of that load. Rodriguez will play a vital role in the team's doubles competition. Other first-year notables are Evan Chen and H. Mert Ozcan, who look to assist the program in any way possible.
