Ryan Brookshaw is the lone senior on the team for the Mountaineers. (Photo: Derek DeSha) Game statistics

2008 Men's Tennis Preview
by Appalachian Sports Information

January 31, 2008 - BOONE, N.C.- Coming off its second-consecutive 13- win season, having eight all-conference players in the last seven years, posting a 13-9 record in 2007 and losing just one senior, 2008 looks like yet another promising season for the Appalachian State men’s tennis team.

The Mountaineers return three out of their four all-SoCon players, graduating only senior standout Dimitar Dimitrov, but adding three freshman and a transfer into the mix.

Appalachian finished the 2007 season wanting more, as it was surprised by Chattanooga in the Southern Conference quarterfinals, losing 4-1. The Apps finished the season tied for fourth in the conference. Elon, the 2007 SoCon champion went on to compete in the NCAA tournament and finished with the No. 42 ranking in the nation. Two other SoCon squads, College of Charleston and Furman, held top- 75 rankings in the nation.

ASU has high expectations to move up in the rankings and crack into the top three in the conference.

“We really want to win the Southern Conference, and be one of the top three teams in the SoCon,” head coach Bob Lake said. “We also want to have another winnning season and win more than 13 matches.”

The goals that Lake and the Mountaineer squad have are very plausible as this ASU team is loaded with talent.

“We have three guys battling for the No.1 spot right now,” Lake said. “Both our No. 1 and 2 guys are back from last season, and we will most likely replace Dimitrov with transfer Bobby Lake.”

Dimitrov will be difficult to replace, as he earned an overall record of 17-4 last season and went on a 12 -match win streak. He also nabbed numerous post-season awards, winning the Brakefield Academic Award which honors the graduating student athlete with the highest cumulative GPA, along with being named the team MVP and winning the 2007 SoCon NCAA Sportsmanship Award.

Veterans Trent Constance and Ryan Brookshaw are two returners that will help to lead the Mountaineers. Brookshaw played at the No. 2 singles spot during the course of the 2007 season and posted an overall record of 10-10.

Constance went 5-16 on the season and played at the No. 1 spot. Other top contributors for Appalachian include sophomores David Doverspike and Peter Jacobs, along with junior Lee Floyd.

In order to be the best, you must play that best, and that is what the Apps will be doing during the 2008 campaign. With four nationally ranked teams on their schedule, and starting the season against No. 56 South Carolina, Appalachian will have numerous tests throughout the Spring. The Mountaineers begin its rigorous conference schedule on March 4 against reigning SoCon champ Elon.