Royal Purple

Issue date: 1/23/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Alison Wisneski A former Warhawk player prepares for a forehand swing in UW-Whitewater's annual alumni meet Saturday afternoon at Kachel Fieldhouse.

In the Intercollegiate Tennis Association poll, the Warhawk men's tennis team is ranked seventh in the Central Region, but seeks to gain a higher position after its first competition of the season this weekend.

The team will open season play in Collegeville, Minn., on Saturday against St. John's University and Bethel College, and wrap up the weekend with a tough road matchup at Division I's UW-Madison on Sunday.

Head Coach Frank Barnes said his team has the tools to become a more dominant force in the region with returnees Robin Borg and Johnny Reed.

"Robin Borg and Johnny Reed return with a ton of experience from last year," Barnes said. "Those two had a lot of wins last season. They can be one of the best doubles teams in the region and will bring a lot of firepower at the top of the lineup."

After going 24-5 and advancing to the Sweet 16 in the school's first ever National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III championship tournament appearance last season, the 'Hawks have lost key singles positions in players Steve Klaas, who played No. 3, Bill Stranberg at No. 5, and John Friar, who was sixth.

Freshmen Gianandrea Heyer and Tim Moller are expected to "make an impact right away." Danny Glinert will also will play a key position in the Warhawks rotation.

"Our goal is to improve from last season," Barnes said. "We lost three good seniors last year, but we've reloaded with several new players."

The Warhawks will also have Kelvin Caiati and Ian Hintz, who both return after taking a year off.

"We have a ton of guys ready to fill in several roles," Barnes said.

To prepare for the tough season ahead, Barnes said his players are working extra hard to make it to the top.

"We've invited everybody in a week early, so we've been practicing all week," Barnes said. "We also set up practices for Elkhorn, which has a tennis club 30 minutes away. We're going to go there a couple of times to get ready for play."

UW-Whitewater held its annual alumni meet Saturday at Kachel Fieldhouse. Thirty-eight former Warhawk players attended the meet, including last year's key players Friar and Klaas.

"A lot of them haven't been back here in a long time," Barnes said. "[Alumni] play tennis and also get to meet and greet the new team."

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