Friday, February 17th, 2006

Piedmont Men's Tennis Team Set To Kick-Off 2006 Season

The 2006 Piedmont College men’s tennis team will look to build upon their 15-6 overall record of 2005. Last season, the Lions went undefeated at 4-0 in Great South Athletic Conference play and tallied their fifth straight conference title. Piedmont will take on Oglethorpe University today at 3:00 in the Lions' 2006 season-opener.

Since the Great South was originated in 2000, the men have only lost one regular season match, and have won every tournament title.

Piedmont is led by senior Valentin Sigartau who finished 45th nationally in singles according to the final ITA Tennis year-end rankings. Teammed with former player Sebastian Stanescu, the doubles team finished 15th nationally.

Also on the squad for the 2006 season are Matt Nash, Mike Robertson, and Taylor Smith who return for their junior season. Jake LeMaster and Joe Leonardo return for their sophomore season and round out the squad.

Last year the Lions placed all six singles players and three doubles teams on the Great South Athletic Conference All-Tournament team, and placed four on the All-Academic team.

For his efforts Stanescu, who will return on Head Coach Shane Wood’s staff, was named the conference’s Player of the Year. Joe Leanardo was named Freshman of the Year, and coach Wood was named league’s Coach of the Year.

This year’s schedule will feature eight home matches and a pair of Atlantic-South Region trips to Salisbury, MD and Sewanee, TN. The season will be capped off by the GSAC tournament held in Maryville, TN.