Whitworth Pirates Tennis
Sports Information
New Look for Whitworth Men's Tennis in 2009
Feb. 5, 2009

SPOKANE, Wash. - Some might think that the loss of four starters from 2008 would mean that the Whitworth men's tennis team could take a step back in 2009. Head coach Mike Shanks is not one of them.

"I think we can be as strong as ever at the top, in both singles and doubles," said Shanks, who was named NWC Coach of the Year in 2005. "If those guys play like I think they are capable of, they could see some regional rankings later in the year."

At the top is newcomer Michael Shelton (Jr., Burbank, Wash.), who had a strong two seasons leading the Community Colleges of Spokane team.

The rest of the line up will be made up of returning players from 2008. Joe Wales (So., Salem, Ore.) had a 13-10 singles record last spring and is slated to move into the #2 singles slot. At third singles is Colin Zalewski (So., Federal Way, Wash.), who has improved from the eighth spot in 2008.

Henry Williams (So., Olympia, Wash.), who put together a 9-13 singles record last spring, is lined up to start at #4 singles, while Colin Barrett (So., Salem, Ore.) has moved up to #5 singles this year. Shanks thinks Barrett may be the most improved player on the team. The final starting spot is Kellen Oetgen (Jr., Bellingham, Wash.).

Shelton and Wales are scheduled to pair up for the number one doubles team, with Zalewski and Williams at #2 and Barrett and Oetgen at #3.

Austin Abelar (Jr., Las Olivas, Calif.), Phil Aldridge (Jr., Coeur d'Alene, Idaho), Ben Hamming (Fr., Lynden, Wash.), Bryan Lays (So., Denver, Colo.) and Chase Talbot (So., Wenatchee, Wash.) fill out the roster and give Shanks plenty of depth to work with.

"Every player has been working very hard and this may be the most cohesive group we've ever had," said Shanks.

Whitworth went 14-11 in 2008 with a 10-6 record in Northwest Conference matches. The Pirates hope to improve on last season's fifth-place finish at the NWC tournament.

After opening against NAIA power Lewis-Clark State, the Pirates will get the season underway in earnest this weekend by hosting Pacific Lutheran (Friday) and Puget Sound (Saturday).