The Illinois College men’s tennis team enters the 2011 season looking to improve on a sixth-place finish at the Midwest Conference Championship. The Blueboys have a pair of seasoned veterans, a new coach and some determined underclassmen all aiming to improve the team’s standing in the MWC.
Seniors Mike Evans and Mitchell Davidson will anchor the team at the top. Sophomores Alexander Benziger, Michael Gilbreth, Joshua Kuhn and Colin Ladd add depth to the roster along with freshman John Hoefert.
Chad Nelson is the team’s new head coach. Nelson has coached the Illinois College volleyball team the past three years, and he’s hoping his extensive coaching background – Nelson has coached basketball, golf and softball, in addition to volleyball – will help guide the Blueboys to a successful campaign.
The season kicks off on February 16 when Illinois College travels to Principia College to take on Webster University. The 2011 schedule also features trips to Greenville College, St. Norbert College, Knox College, Grinnell College, Monmouth College and Ripon College. The Blueboys will host Wabash College early in the season before bringing in Lawrence University and Carroll University for a double dual later this spring.
The goal is to have the team at the top of its game when it heads to Madison, Wis., May 7 and 8 for the 2011 Midwest Conference Championships.