2012-13 Men's Tennis Outlook

Podcast with men's tennis coach Bryan Morrow

Consistently finishing among the top squads in the GLIAC conference under fifth-year coach Bryan Morrow, the Wayne State University men's tennis team is once again looking like a top-flight contender heading into the spring portion of the 2012-13 season.

The Warriors have three seniors and three juniors on this year's roster including all of the top players from a team that finished third in the GLIAC last season.

“From last year, we have all of our top guys returning and we brought in Fazyl Kechai, a French player who will probably find himself in the top two or three in the singles lineup,” WSU men's tennis coach Bryan Morrow said. “On top of that, junior Aman Gill is back healthy and looking good. He pulled a muscle in the second week of the season and all season we were trying to get him healthy, which never really happened.”

Three-year letterwinners and seniors Thomas Ducret, Oscar Gamarra and Jon Groszek are all key members for WSU. Junior co-captains Michael FitzGerald and Melvin Joseph and sophomore Jason Chen also bring a wealth of experience to comprise a strong lineup.

With the addition of freshman Trey Keating, it gives WSU a potent doubles attack.

“I'm going to have four doubles teams that all are going to be very competitive,” Morrow said. “Our goal is to be the best team in the conference in doubles by far. That's our goal every year and we are pretty successful in most of our conference matches to head into the singles up 2-1. This year, we hope to be even better.”

While the depth of talent is there, so too is the cohesiveness of the nine players.

“The team chemistry and unity on this team is by far the best it's ever been since I've been here,” Morrow said. “I think that starts with great captains. They just include each other and are so tight. They truly are a team, a brotherhood.”

One who stresses high academics, Morrow believes his team is ready to make another successful run on the court and contend for a conference title.

“First, one of the team goals that we take very seriously is to have the highest GPA in the athletic department,” he said. “We've been successful doing that. When it comes to on the court, it's our expectations to win a GLIAC Championship.”

The Warriors play Saturday against the University of Detroit Mercy in a match held at Franklin Racket Club in Detroit.