New blood and senior leadership spark title run

By David Goldenberg

In the championship round of the University of San Diego Invitational on Sun., Mar. 15, trailing Ball State 3-2, the men's tennis team turned to a pair of freshmen to salvage the match.

Greg Royce, SY '01, still recovering from a lingering hand injury, lost his first set 6-4. Royce, however, fought back for the win, taking the next two sets 6-1 and 6-4. "At first, my tennis was kind of shaky," Royce said. "Then I started to regain confidence and win big points."

In the deciding match, Scott Carlton, JE '01, who has won seven of his first eight contests, took the match in straight sets, 7-5, 7-6. His win sealed a first-place finish for the Bulldogs in the Invitational. "It was nerve-wracking," he said. "Everyone was watching."

The freshmen will have to get accustomed to the spotlight as the Bulldogs begin their quest for an Ivy League title. "Greg and Scott add lots of depth to the team," Andrew Tang, SM '98, noted. "They were solid junior players, and they have proven that they can win on this level, too." Captain Mark Warnken, TD '98, added, "We knew from the beginning that they would be big additions. The real surprise is the following of girls they have for each match--I've never seen such fan support."

In their final season, Tang and Warnken would like nothing better than a league title, and both agree that this year will be their best shot. "Both Andrew and I approach this season more intent on winning the Ivies than ever," Warnken said. Tang concurred, saying, "Our goal is very simple: to win the Ivies. This goal is more realistic than it has been in any of my four years."

Over spring break, which also took the team to New Mexico, the Bulldogs went 4-2, their best showing in recent years. Currently, Yale is second in the Ivy League behind Harvard and is ranked in the top 60 nationally for the first time since 1992.

Julia Tiernan/YH Scott Mayo, BR '00, is part of a deep and talented Bulldog lineup.

The freshman talent is augmented by the experience of the squad's older players. The team returns five of its top six players, and the addition of Carlton, Royce, and Matt Chang, SY '01, gives the team its deepest roster in years. Leading the charge for the Bulldogs in the number one slot is Jonathan Beardsley, DC '99. Ranked 70th in the nation this fall, Beardsley is off to a strong
6-3 start.

The key to the season, however, might lie with Tang, who has suffered through two years of injuries, and is currently playing in the second singles position. "I've been the most injury prone," Tang said. "I'm feeling great right now; my body is capable of competing."

Tang emphasized the importance of keeping the team injury free. "If no one gets hurt, we should have a great season,"
he said.

The team has approached this season with a more business-like approach than in previous years. They feel as if they have a job to do, and nothing should prevent them from accomplishing it. "If I were to pick one thing that separates us from last year's team, it would be that we approach each match with more confidence," Warnken said. "Intensity during practices has been higher this year than during any of my four years," Tang added. "I think we all see the goal at hand, and realize that it's realistic."

"At this level, you must be ready," Royce said. "Everyone you play is motivated, conditioned, and strong." With its first home matches this weekend against Rutgers, Boston College, and Boston University, the team hopes for support from the Yale faithful. "It's important to have people come out to watch the games," Tang said.

Some of the team's biggest supporters this year have been the members of the men's ice hockey team, who come to many of the matches and are known for their loud, hearty support of fellow athletes. The Bulldogs hope to translate their vocal fans, early freshman success, and upperclass experience into a championship season.

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