Dec. 20, 2001

Experience is the key word for the Samford men's tennis team heading into the 2002 spring season. The Bulldogs have faced two-straight year's of youth and learning the college game but now one of the youngest teams in the Atlantic Sun is one of the most experience. The 2002 Bulldogs have six juniors and seniors on its eight player roster. Five of those six have spent the last two years at Samford growing and becoming better players in the heat of competition.

"I am excited about the team we have this year," says head coach Glen Fanelli. "We have experience and leadership that we haven't had in the past couple of years. We finished last season really strong and we have schedule some really good competition."

The Samford men won six of their last seven matches and 12 of the final 18 last season to build momentum heading into the 2002 season.

All six players from Samford's 14-13 2001 season return for the 2002 season. The Bulldogs will be lead by senior David Misner (Greenville, Miss.) who went 15-6 at number one singles in 2001. Misner is a true competitor whose biggest challenger is usually himself. "David is a great athlete who never gives in. He is very hard on himself, but his drive to win is unmatched." says Fanelli. Misner will pair with junior Raphael Bohli (Commungy, Switzerland) as Samford's number one doubles team. The two qualified for the Regional III Championships at The University of Tennessee this fall. Misner and Bohli won their opening round match against the Vanderbilt team of Brown and Fredrickson but lost in the second round to the Georgia duo of Boeker and Wagner. Misner and Bohli were 17-5 last season at number one doubles and 19-6 overall.

Bohli is a strong singles player as well as an accomplished doubles player. He went 15-7 last season mostly at number three singles. He is expected to secure the number two singles role in 2002. "Raph loves to play great players. He wants to play the opponents best player every time out." says Fanelli.

Seniors Chuck Haddox (Abilene, Texas) and Colin Thompson (Perth, Australia) have the ability to add the leadership the Bulldogs were with out last season. Haddox is the favorite to be at the number three singles spot for the Bulldogs in 2002. Haddox at 6-6 has a powerful service game. he struggled at times last season recording a 7-16 overall mark. Most of his loses came at number two singles. Thompson transferred from Boise State University last season and posted an 12-11record last season at number five singles.

Juniors Andres Leal (Montgomery, Ala.) and Travis Johnson (Marietta, Ga.) give Samford six upperclassmen and experienced depth which will be useful during long matches. Leal will play either the number four or number five singles position. He was 7-14 last season at number four. He has shown marked improvement each year at Samford. Has a strong forehand and now has the experience to to pick up key victories. Johnson had a solid sophomore season. He went 5-2 at number six singles and 9-9 overall. Teamed with Thompson to post an 8-2 record at number three doubles.

Clive Yeo (Pinetown, South Africa) is the only sophomore on the team in 2002. Yeo stepped right into the top six as a freshman in 2001. Yeo posted an 11-9 freshman campaign. He was 3-1 at number four and singles and 5-6 at number five. He will see most of his action this season at either the number four or five spot. Also a solid doubles player, Yeo and Haddox went 8-3 at number two doubles and should be teamed together again.

The only freshman on this year's team is Joey Jensen (Brentwood, Tenn.). Jensen went 86-0 in four years in his region. Finished as the runner up in the State of Tennessee as a senior at Franklin Road Academy. He is an aggressive player who will compete early for one of the top six positions.

Samford will begin the spring season in January with a very tough Florida trip to play Jacksonville, UCF, and Emory Riddle. The Bulldogs return to Alabama to face the University of Alabama on Jan. 27, in an indoor match. The Bulldogs will play 10 matches before playing at home for the first time on Feb. 22, against UNC Asheville. Senior day will be April 3, against Birmingham Southern and the Atlantic Sun Championships will once again be held in Macon, Ga., on April 17-21.