Northwestern University Athletics
2007-08 Men's Tennis: Youth Leads The Way
5/30/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
May 30, 2008
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern completed the 2007-08 campaign as a rebuilding season for a young team with a first-year head coach at the helm. The Wildcats were unable to accomplish the on-court success they had hoped for, but gained a year of valuable playing experience and, a superb incoming class, looking forward to next year.
Northwestern will lose just one senior, Juan Gomez (Mexico City, Mexico/South Florida), moving forward to next season, which means the majority of the team returns with another year of experience accrued. In addition, the Wildcats already have four incoming freshman who will join the program and make up the nation's 12th-best recruiting class this year, according to tennisrecruting.net.
The 'Cats opened up their fall season by hosting the Wildcat Invitational in mid-October. Sophomore Alex Sanborn (Houston, Texas/Kinkaid) and David Seyferth (Ann Arbor, Mich./Ann Arbor Pioneer) each put on promising performances by advancing to the singles round of 16. Andrew McCarthy (Cincinnati, Ohio/Indian Hill) and Seyferth also made it to the round of 16 in doubles action.
The Wildcats furthered their fall play at the ITA Midwest Regionals held in Minneapolis, Minn., in late October. Two doubles pairs and Seyferth, who competed in both doubles and singles, represented Northwestern in that tournament.
In mid-November, the 'Cats closed out their fall season with a trip to Ann Arbor for the Big Ten singles championship. Peter Rispoli (Naples, Fla./St. Stephens (Texas)) was the lone Wildcat to advance to the second round, but Sanborn reached the consolation round of 16.
With fall preparation behind them, Northwestern would begin its dual season ranked No. 65 nationally. On January 13 the Wildcats opened the regular season with two home matches against Chicago and Illinois-Chicago. Two dominating performances by the 'Cats gave them a quick 2-0 jump start to the 2007-08 campaign.
After a late January shutout win against Butler, 7-0, the Wildcats saw themselves out to a 4-1 start in 2008. In its next match at then-No. 11 Notre Dame, Northwestern saw its first taste of the nation's best with a shutout loss to the Irish.
The Wildcats rebounded quickly from the loss at Notre Dame, coming out with a 7-0 shutout of their own in their next matchup with Bradley. The 'Cats found themselves at 5-2 on the season and ranked 66th in the nation.
Northwestern dropped its next two contests against national powerhouses, Virginia Commonwealth and William & Mary. An important match with Dartmouth would ensue, and the Wildcats kept their season in balance with a critical 4-3 victory. In that match, the freshman Seyferth gutted out an impressive three-set victory to clinch the win for the 'Cats.
Northwestern went 7-5 in non-conference play to begin the year before entering a difficult Big Ten season with its young team. A trip to Lamar University in Texas during spring break earned Northwestern a 6-1 victory and the confidence it would need to return for the final month of dual play.
As the season neared its end, a few Wildcats' were recognized for their season efforts and dedication to the program. Team captain Sanborn was a recipient of both the Vandy Christie and Arlie Weiss Memorial Awards. The Vandy Christie Award is given to the individual who best displays outstanding loyalty and dedication to Northwestern Tennnis. The Arlie Weiss Memorial Award winner is recognized as the individual who best displays outstanding sportsmanship.
Philip Kafka was selected as the Mark Johnson Award winner, chosen as the individual who best displays outstanding effort, commitment and desire to improve. The dedication and commitment of the entire program certainly bodes well for a successful future under the tutelage of coach Swan.
The Wildcats would close out the dual regular season at 7-16 before moving forward to the postseason. Northwestern had looked to make a run through the Big Ten Championship, but a loss at the hands of Indiana would put an end to the 'Cats' season.
In looking forward to next season, with the potential of young stars Rispoli and McCarthy and returning leaders Sanborn and Marc Dwyer (Peachtree City, Ga./Independent Study H.S.), Northwestern has high expectations for 2008-09.
Head coach Arvid Swan already has made strides in the right direction with his first year at the helm behind him. Swan went out and recruited the nation's 12th-best recruiting class, including two of the top American prospects, all of whom are high school All-Americans in 2008.
Eric Spector (Northbrook, Ill./Glenbrook North) will join the Wildcat family as a five-star recruit, and the nation's 30th-ranked high school player. He competed with the USTA National team in both England and France in 2004, while also winning the Midwest Open. In 2005, Spector took the crown at the doubles Midwest, was on a championship team in Chicago and placed sixth in the Super Nationals during the winter. As a junior, his high school team won the state championship, while he finished third individually.
Josh Graves (Milwaukee, Wis./Nicolet) enters the collegiate ranks as the nation's 41st-ranked high school player. A five-star recruit, Graves is one of the top prospects in the Midwest, was a quarterfinalist of the consolation bracket at the National Clay Courts event. He finished undefeated in the Midwest Davis Cup and was a winner and finalist of numerous sectional events. In the Boys 16 National Open, Graves placed third, while finishing fifth in the 18-year-old division. Graves topped that feat by winning the the Boys 18-year-old Midwest Closed Championships as a 16-year -old. At the St. Louis National Clay Court tournament, he posted another third-place finish. As a freshman, Graves was named an all-state performer without losing a single match that season. His team went on to win the state title.
Tobias Reitz (Reinbeck, Germany/Sachsenwaldschule Reinbeck H.S.) will enter Northwestern being recognized in the German Senior Top 150 ranking, and also in the Top 50 under 21-years-old. He has competed in numerous ITS Junior Tournaments and Futures events. Reitz' resume boasts several victories over players who have earned ATP points.
With returning veterans and incoming young talent, Northwestern expects a solid dual season with potential to make a deep push in postseason play. Look for the 'Cats to begin their quest for success when coach Swan opens up his second year at the helm in fall 2008.
