Jumbos look to boast strong singles squad

With all but two starters returning, the men's tennis team looks to improve on last spring's 7-6 performance, and appears to have the firepower at singles to get the job done.

Although they will miss their departed seniors, namely former co-captain David Ruttenberg, the Jumbos expect to succeed with a deep and capable lineup.

Taking over for Ruttenberg this season at first singles is junior Rifat Perahya. A 2003 NESCAC All-Conference First Team selection, Perahya played mostly at second singles last season with one appearance at first singles, where he handily defeated Brandeis number one Tomas Wallenberg, 6-1, 7-5, in the season opener. Overall, he finished 2003 with a record of 10-5, including a mark of 8-2 in dual matches.

Perahya is not concerned about making the jump to the number one slot this season, as he is familiar with much of his opposition.

"Most of the league's other number ones graduated," Perahya said. "So I will be playing the people I played last year [at second singles], and I was able to beat most of them, so I think I can do well."

Following Perahya in the lineup at second singles will be senior captain Jon Bram. With a 24-16 career mark to his name, Bram enters 2004 as the elder statesman on the Jumbos, and he has the experience of a 6-8 campaign last spring at third singles to his name. Bram's one appearance at second singles last season also came in the Brandeis match where he was victorious 6-3, 6-1, over David Block, bringing his overall 2003 record to 7-8. He will team with Perahya this season at first doubles.

Bram is quick to emphasize the depth that surrounds him in the lineup this season.

"A lot of spots are still up for grabs," Bram said. "Because our two through six guys are all very close in ability."

Look for junior Adam Yates and sophomore Ben Alexander to also play important roles in this year's lineup. Primarily playing fifth singles, Yates amassed a 10-7 overall record including an 8-4 mark in dual matches. Generally in the sixth slot, Alexander coasted to an overall mark of 13-4, picking up only one loss in dual competition. Yates and Alexander will likely occupy the third and fourth positions to begin the season.

An area for potential concern this year is the Jumbo's somewhat peculiar schedule where they open the season at Bates before spring break, a time usually reserved for practice and conditioning. While this will certainly accelerate preparations, Bram is confident in his team's abilities.

"All of the guys on the team have a good work ethic," Bram said. "So we should be able to manage just fine."

Coming off a somewhat disappointing season, the talented Jumbos are ranked only 24th nationally and seventh in the Northeast. The team's expectations are far greater, however, and the Jumbos are confident that they will prove their worth to the rest of Div. III.

"I think we should be ranked higher than 24th," Perahya said. "With the additions to our lineup, we can do much better this season."