Jan. 14, 2005
Chicago, Ill.- After two straight trips to the Horizon League Tournament semifinals that produced fourth place finishes both times, the UIC men's tennis team is revved up for a more successful ending to the 2005 campaign.
The journey begins today, as the Flames face crosstown rival DePaul at the Lakeshore Athletic Club at 6 p.m.
UIC head coach Hans Neufeld knows that taking the next steps to a league finals appearance and conference championship takes hard work, and the fourth-year skipper sees a significant improvement in work ethic from his crew this season compared to last year.
"We've come close two years in a row in the conference semifinals," Neufeld said of his team's tight 4-3 losses to UW-Green Bay in the last two league tournaments. "We need to continue working hard in the weight room and on the court."
Neufeld already sees the hard work being put in, from his four returning players to his three newcomers.
Leading the pack of returnees is 2004 All-Horizon League selection Paul Glendenning, who won 13 matches in his first year with the Flames while going 5-2 in league play.
Joining Glendenning will be senior captain James Wonneberg, sophomore Sean Kreymborg and senior Karol Zarucki.
"Our four returning players should make a good impact," said Neufeld.
The Flames are also stacked with some intriguing fresh faces. Junior Ivan Kovalev, a transfer from Louisiana-Lafayette, is already making a huge mark on the team.
"Ivan has brought leadership to the team," said Neufeld of the Kazakhstan native with an intimidating 6-foot-3 frame. "Ivan has pushed everyone. He has had a great influence on the work ethic of the team."
Also new to the team are first-year players Andy Lockhart and Eric Fey, two accomplished junior players who teamed with Kovalev to post a 16-5 singles record in tournament play this past fall.
New to the team this semester is Danai Samuriwo, who played No. 1 singles for Chicago State last season and looks to give the Flames a significant boost in depth this year.
Neufeld's players have shown they have the determination to improve in order to earn the school's first-ever league title. They have also shown a camaraderie that helps keep them loose but focused on the goal of a championship.
"It seems they are a tighter unit [than years past]," said Neufeld. "That's the thing that makes it fun."
