The 1999-2000 season saw 13 of 15 Oregon athletic teams reach postseason play. One of those teams was the men’s tennis team.
Head coach Chris Russell hopes to bring this year’s team back to the NCAA tournament after a first-round exit last May.
The countdown begins for this year’s tournament on Friday, when the Ducks kick off the 2000-01 season in Fresno, Calif., at the Bulldog Classic. The tournament will take place at the Spalding G. Wathen outdoor tennis facility on the Fresno State campus.
This season, Oregon hopes to improve upon last season’s 12-9 record and third-place finish at the Pacific-10 tournament.
The Ducks’ spirits are high after a month of practice in their new $2.1 million, 48,000-square-foot facility. The newly finished on-campus building offers Oregon a chance to practice indoors in a climate-controlled facility. The Ducks can also work out on the outdoor courts on East 15th Street. The luxury to choose between two venues was not available to them last year.
“Now, there are no excuses,” Russell said. “We’ve been competitive before, but this is the next step toward getting to that next level of play.”
Oregon is expected to bring a small contingent to the Classic, which is a three-day individual tournament with no team scoring.
The tournament will be a re-match between Oregon and the team that eliminated the Ducks from the NCAAs last season — Fresno State. Four players return from each team that played in that game. The Bulldogs romped on Oregon, 4-0, on May 13.”We’re really looking forward to getting out there and seeing how our young guys measure up with everyone,” Russell said. “It’s a chance to get exposure, which is what we’re seeking from this.”
Seniors David Mullins and Peter Luczak lead the Bulldog attack. Luczak is ranked No. 14 in the pre-season ITA polls while Mullins has the best record of any Fresno State player.
Also at hand for the Classic will be Pacific-10 Conference rival Washington. Sophomores Ari Strasberg and Matt Hanlin return after outstanding freshman years. Hanlin is ranked 50th in the preseason polls, while Strasberg is No. 85.
Junior Thomas Schneiter is the top returning Duck. The Worb, Switzerland native played in the No. 2 spot last year behind All-American Guillermo Carter and helped lead Oregon to its second NCAA team appearance in three years.
Also expected to play are sophomores Oded Teig, Leslie Eisinga and Jason Menke.
“Jason is one of those guys that I’m looking forward to getting out there and seeing him blossom and grow,” Russel said.
Teig was the 2000 Newcomer of the Year after breaking the freshman record for single season wins with 22. Eisinga became the first freshman to qualify for the NCAA doubles tournament along with Carter.
It is unknown whether highly touted recruit Paul “Buck” Mink will begin his Oregon career on Friday or whether Russell will keep him out of competition until later in the season.
The Classic will give the Ducks a good chance to warm up and get back in the swing of things before the ITA Preseason Regionals take place in Berkeley, Calif., from Oct. 28-31.”When you practice and practice, it’s nice to have something to gear up for,” Russell said.