2006 Season Preview
Confident, experienced Monarchs want "more" in 2006 season

One can’t blame Eddie Luck for being a little more relaxed and confident as his Methodist Monarch men’s tennis team embarks on the 2006 season. After all, last season proved so much a rollercoaster for Luck in his first season at the Methodist helm.

The Monarchs overcame a slow start against a brutal schedule to finish 9-9 overall and an undefeated 6-0 in the USA South Athletic Conference for a third straight season. On top of that, Methodist ran away with its first USA South Tournament title in three seasons. That was a great accomplishment for Luck considering he didn’t take the job until late in the summer of 2005.

Fast-forward one year and Luck has every reason to believe that the 2006 season campaign could be special for the Monarchs. Ten players return from last season, including four starters in both singles and doubles. Even more, the Monarchs’ performance last fall at the ITA Division III Atlantic South Regionals at Emory gives Luck and squad even more hope.

In that tournament, the Monarchs had players reach the quarterfinals and Round of 16 in the championship bracket, another player advance to finals of the consolation bracket, and a doubles team advance to the tournament championship.

“It’s been a lot smoother than last season, and the expectations are a lot greater on a national scale,” said Luck. “We played some great matches at the regionals. After that weekend, the guys believed they could play with the better teams in Division III.”

Two players in particular that should be the backbone of this dynamic team are Keith Criscoe and Chris Fletcher. Criscoe, a senior, goes at No. 1 in singles and is the reigning USA South Player of the Year. In addition, he is ranked 12^th in the ITA Atlantic South Region. Fletcher, a sophomore, is next at No. 2 and has potential to break into the regional rankings as the season progresses.

Not only does this duo excel in singles, they team up to form one of the top doubles team in the Southeast. Criscoe and Fletcher are ranked third in the ITA Atlantic South after a stellar regional in the fall in which they knocked off two teams from Division III national champion Emory before falling to a third Emory duo in the finals.

The opportunity of this duo advancing to the NCAA Division III National Tournament is tremendous, according to Luck.

“The big thing about Keith is his attitude. He works hard every day and never has a bad day,” Luck said. “He took some of the best players in the country to three sets last season, and now he’s even stronger and has better stamina. Fletcher has that freshman mentality out of him and now he’s more calm and mature.”

Making it the top level as a team means consistency from No. 1 to No. 6 in singles, and Luck believes he has it with this season’s team. In addition to Criscoe and Fletcher, the Monarchs also return All-USA South performers David Hardy and Mike Layton. After playing No. 4 last season, Hardy moves up to No. 3. Layton, meanwhile, advances from No. 6 to No. 5.

Stepping in at No. 4 is freshman Sam Miller, while sophomore Matthew Siegel gets the call at No. 6. If either of these newcomers falters, junior Andrew Martin and sophomore Greg Morgan both gained considerable experience last season, while freshman Blaine Sumpter is blessed with tremendous experience.

“We are very solid at 5 and 6 with Layton and Siegel, but kind of lumpy at 3 and 4 with Hardy and Miller,” Luck said. “Layton and Siegel are steady, consistent grinders. Miller has a huge serve and a tremendous forehand. Right now, he is our ‘X’ factor.”

With Criscoe and Fletcher entrenched at No. 1 in doubles, Hardy and Miller will play at No. 2 doubles and Layton and Siegel will play at No. 3 doubles.

Just like last season, Methodist once again is faced with a challenging schedule. The Monarchs opened the 2006 campaign with matches against NCAA Division I Coastal Carolina and Division II Mount Olive. Also on the docket include 12^th-ranked Mary Washington, 26^th-ranked Sewanee and 30^th-ranked Johns Hopkins, plus fellow regionally-ranked opponents Piedmont and Christopher Newport.