Northwestern University Athletics
The 2001 Men's Tennis Outlook
2/1/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
Feb. 1, 2001
Evanston, Ill. - Head coach Paul Torricelli claimed last season was a rebuilding year, yet his team still managed a spot in the NCAA Tournament. With this in mind, it is hard not to get excited about the upcoming year in which Northwestern returns its entire team from the 1999-2000, 11-12 squad.
"Our goal is to return to the top of the Big Ten and make our seventh consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament," said Torricelli.
The Wildcats finished seventh in the Big Ten last season and ended the year ranked 54th in the nation.
Leading this experienced squad is lone senior Brad Erickson, NU's No. 1 singles player last year (21-20). Erickson finished his junior campaign ranked 13th in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association regional ranking and earned All-Big Ten honors. This fall Erickson was invited to play in the qualifying round of the ITA Men's All-American Championships. Erickson continues to prove himself as one of the top players in the region.
Junior Joost Hol will combine with Erickson for a powerful 1-2 punch in singles. Hol garnished an overall record of 20-13 last season in the second singles position. Torricelli expects a terrific year from Hol as he has developed in to a complete player with a big serve and a powerful forehand.
Erickson and Hol will join forces as the Wildcats No. 1 doubles team again this season. Last year the two combined for a 21-7 record and enter the fall season ranked 13th in the nation.
With the return of Junior Jamie Sahara, Sophomores Josh Axler, Russell Bennett and Jackie Jenkins, plus junior transfer Ryan Edlefsen, competition for the remaining four singles positions should be fierce.
Sahara went undefeated in the sixth position last year (7-0) and continued his success this fall going 5-2.
"Jamie has put in the hours during the off-season to bring his game up to the next level for the upcoming season," said Torricelli.
Jenkins saw the most action last year at the number three position where he posted a 3-12 record. Jenkins has developed a more aggressive style of play which could make him a staple in the middle of the Wildcats lineup.
Josh Axler was another freshman who contributed in the Nos. 3-6 positions last year. He was most successful in the third and fourth slots, where he posted an 11-6 mark. Look for Axler to give Jenkins some pressure for the No. 3 position throughout the season.
Bennett rounds out the class of 2003. Torricelli is banking on the experience that Bennett gained last season as the fifth/sixth man and as a doubles player. Bennett won the clincher against Iowa in the Big Ten Tournament last season and should again play an important role for NU this season.
Edlefsen is a welcome addition to the court for NU. Edlefsen earned six varsity letters in tennis at Bloomington Jefferson high school and made an appearance in the state finals from his sophomore year on. Edlefsen should make an immediate impact in both singles and doubles.
Sahara, Axler, Bennett, Jenkins and Edlefsen will combine to form NU's second and third doubles teams. Last season Bennett and Jenkins combined for an 11-11 finish, including two wins in the Big Ten Tournament. Axler and Sahara teamed up for a 4-16 record.
After finishing seventh in the Big Ten the past two seasons Torricelli expects this seasoned squad to return Wildcat tennis to the status it held in the 90's.
"Two qualities that are essential to be a successful team are work ethic and chemistry," claimed Torricelli. "This teams possess both of those, and is ready to take on the challenge to become a top-rated program."
