Men's Tennis: Vanderbilt Commodore Athletics

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Commodores Shooting For A Return to the NCAAs in 2000

The 1999 season was perhaps the most successful in Vanderbilt's long men's tennis history. The team advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time and won its inaugural match when it got there. Vanderbilt finished No. 28 in the ITA rankings, a new all-time watershed mark. The vintage season will be remembered long around the Currey Tennis Center.

Repeating those feats in 2000 could prove to be a challenge for a depleted Commodore squad but the intensity to reach its lofty goals remains. Vanderbilt will enter the spring missing its No. 1, No. 2, No. 4 and No. 6 players from the 1999 lineup as it prepares to battle in the Southeastern Conference, a league which sent 10 teams to the NCAA Tournament last year.

Amongst the top guns from 1999, Kyle Porter left early to join the pro tour, Eddie Coates suffered a serious injury during the fall, Stuart Rhodes transferred and Danny Tym graduated.

Head Coach Ken Flach is hoping that the depth the team has built up the past few years shows through in 2000 with a team that features five seniors to help offset the losses.

"This team is going to be challenged," Flach said. "But, I told the guys they can look at this challenge as an obstacle or an opportunity. I really think it is an opportunity for them to step up and show everybody what they're made of. That's what I'm hoping they'll do."

Assuming the role at No. 1 will be Andrew Nisker, perhaps the most improved player in the country. After going 28-33 (3-16 vs. SEC) his first two years, mainly at No. 4 and No. 5, Nisker led Vanderbilt in most categories in 1999 while playing No. 3. This fall the Canadian senior went 8-4 and upped his ranking to a career best No. 47.

"Going from nowhere his sophomore year to what he's done recently is amazing," Flach said. "He has jumped a whole level in his game through dedication and discipline."

Four other seniors will join Nisker to form the backbone of VU's 2000 lineup. Peter Blach was a regular face at No. 5 and No. 6 in 1999, posting a 10-11 mark in dual matches. He saved his best win for last though, taking the clincher in three sets of the team's 4-3 NCAA Tournament win over Michigan.

Twin brothers Bill and Dan McGugin will probably see an increase in their court time in 2000. Bill went 7-5 in singles a year ago while Dan posted a solid 8-6 mark. Not surprisingly, the two have always been a solid doubles team even when at the University of Tennessee prior to their 1997 transfers.

Coates is a wild card for Vanderbilt. The team's No. 2 player last year, Coates is no stranger to the ITA rankings and was slated to be the team's No. 1 this year. However, he suffered a major knee injury during his second match of the fall and his status for the spring season is still uncertain.

Strengthening the team are a pair of freshman and one experienced junior. Brad Hambrick has been strong when called upon throughout his Vanderbilt career, and he might hear that call more often in 2000. Hambrick boasts a 13-10 career singles record. He won his SEC singles debut last spring in VU's upset win over Kentucky.

Anders Oding joins the Commodores from Örebro, Sweden and becomes Flach's second international recruit in as many years. The two-time Swedish doubles champion will be asked to help boost Vanderbilt in 2000.

Josh Tarkoff will add to Vanderbilt's lineup this year after a stellar high school career in Florida. The Miami native helped Ransom Everglades to the 1998 3A State Championship and was a first-team All-State selection that year after being state runner-up in both singles and doubles.

The road ahead of the Commodores will prove a challenge. Five SEC teams are ranked in the top 10 entering the season while every SEC team is amongst the nation's top 40. Vanderbilt will also face nine ranked opponents out of conference.

"The complexion of our team has changed dramatically from last year which makes it hard to put predict how well we can do this year," Flach said.

Only time will tell.