Season Review: SU serves up 17 wins in '07, looks forward to '08

SALISBURY, Md. - The Salisbury University men's tennis team made tremendous strides in 2007. Despite a season-ending injury to No. 1 singles player Matt Nicholson, a tough schedule and overall inexperience across the board the Sea Gulls posted an impressive 17-7 record. SU went 6-1 in the Capital Athletic Conference to secure second-place behind nationally ranked University of Mary Washington. The Gulls finished 2007 ranked No. 10 in the Atlantic South region while Nicholson finished ranked 14th in singles in the region.

While the results were not always perfect, the season had numerous bright spots as the young and talented Sea Gulls grew and gained match experience against several nationally ranked opponents. SU won its first five matches and 11 of the first 13 to jump out of the gate with an 11-2 mark to kick-off the season. The Gulls then dropped four matches to nationally ranked teams, three at home, before making a run in the CAC tournament where the maroon and gold lost 6-3 to the Eagles in the title match. Salisbury garnered 11 All-CAC honors including the CAC Rookie of the Year in freshman Scott Burtzlaff.

"We matured and really started to believe in ourselves," said SU coach Randy Halfpap.

Captains Sean Larson and Brendan Kincaid provided leadership for the new players. Larson, the only senior on the team, was not recruited to play tennis but his game and contributions became a significant part of the season. Larson was named to the All-CAC second team as No. 6 singles and No. 3 doubles with teammate Sasha Felikson.

"He found ways to gut out matches. He will definitely be missed," said Halfpap.

Kincaid, coming off an appearance in the NCAA national singles tournament in 2006, persevered through a year of shuffling doubles teammates and stiff competition. Kincaid excelled in doubles as he went a combined 18-4 with three different partners and narrowly missed a trip to nationals. He earned first-team All-CAC honors along with Nicholson for the top doubles pair in the conference and was All-CAC second team as No. 2 singles. A costly doubles loss to Christopher Newport in a tiebreak 9-8 (8-6) provides motivation for the off-season. Kincaid vowed,

"Everyday that I train this year I will think about that match so it will not happen again," said Kincaid, who will be one of two seniors on the team in '08.

Kincaid ended the year ranked 22nd in the region in singles and ranked fifth in the region in doubles with Burtzlaff. The duo also finished ranked 23rd in the nation.

The breakout seasons posted by freshmen Evan Thomas and Burtzlaff shows the future of SU tennis is in good hands and the future is bright for these two in maroon and gold. The duo were named to the CAC first team as singles players and the combo were named as All-CAC second team No. 2 doubles pair as well.

Thomas, the Team MVP, put together a stellar mark of 21-2 between No. 3 and No. 4 singles. Among the many victories for the Salisbury, Md. native one match stands out.

"My most memorable moment of the season was beating Mary Washington's No. 3 player 6-1, 6-2," said Thomas of his CAC tournament win over UMW in the championship match.

Equally impressive, Burtzlaff posted a 17-5 record in singles and a 19-3 mark in doubles. In the CAC championship against UMW, he defeated a nationally ranked opponent in No. 2 singles and then teamed with Kincaid in a No. 1 doubles triumph. Like most of the Gulls, Burtzlaff is anxiously optimistic about next season.

"I think we have a really good shot at CACs and going to nationals," said Burtzlaff.

Halfpap enjoyed the season-ending victory over regionally ranked Washington (Md.) College, a team SU had not beaten since 1999. The experienced gained from the '07 season will only motivate the Sea Gulls next season as the trio of Kincaid, Thomas and Burtzlaff will lead SU as it tries to win its first CAC title since 1999. Plus throw in a healthy Nicholson, a All-CAC second teamer at No. 1 singles, and this team will make some noise in the region and hopefully nationally.

"There are a lot of encouraging pieces with the players coming back next season," said Halfpap.