Jan. 27, 2005
Atlanta – The Georgia Tech men’s tennis team will open its 2005 dual-match season by hosting Princeton at the Bill Moore Tennis Center Friday in a match that is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. The Jackets are coming off a successful showing at the Puerto Rico Invitational. Sophomore Jose Luis Muguruza paced Tech, winning three singles matches at the Puerto Rico Invitational, including wins over No. 2 Ryler DeHeart of Illinois, No. 21 Conor Niland of California and No. 23 Fabrizio Sestini of Texas Christian.
The Yellow Jackets enter the 2005 season ranked 35th in the nation after going 15-8 in 2004. Individually, Muguruza is ranked No. 25 after a freshman campaign in which he posted a 10-4 doubles mark and a 9-6 singles record. In the fall, the sophomore from Wesley Chapel, Fla., improved his singles record, going 11-4 in singles action.
“Princeton is a very tough match,” head coach Kenny Thorne stated. “They have a great coach, Glenn Michibata. I know the guys at Princeton are going to be ready to play. I think it was fortunate that we were able to go down and play some tough matches down in Puerto Rico earlier this month so our guys will be ready.”
The young team enters the dual match season led by senior Noah Tyler and junior Marko Rajevac. Joining the upperclassmen are sophomores Zachary Rath and Muguruza, along with freshmen Scott Blackmon, Jordan Delass, George Gvelesiani, David North and Sukhwa Young.
“We have a young team,” Thorne added. “This will be a good indicator of who is ready to step into some tough positions we are going to have this year. I think over the first two or three matches, we will find out who is going to step up for us this year.”
-GT-
