CSR (2006 Calvin Men's Tennis Outlook)

CALVIN SPORTS REPORT FOR MARCH 16, 2006

2006 MEN'S TENNIS OUTLOOK
(Fifth in a Series of Six Calvin Spring Sports Previews)

Under the direction of third-year head coach John Ross, the Calvin men's tennis
team will look to pick up where it left off. In 2005, Calvin posted an
impressive dual match record of 16-4 and finished second in the final MIAA
standings after placing fourth at the MIAA Championships.

With four of its top six singles players returning, Calvin's prospects for
another successful season appear strong.

Calvin will need to replace its top two singles players from last year in (No.
1) Jon Miedema and (No. 2) Kevin VanHaitsma but appears to have the players
ready to step up to the challenge. Sophomore Ricky Tilton (Gap, PA/Lancaster
Christian HS) is poised to grab the No. 1 singles spot. A 6-6 right-hander,
Tilton has a rocket serve and the quickness afoot to cover the entire court.
Tilton filled the No. 4 singles spot as a freshman in 2005 and posted an
impressive 12-3 singles mark. At the 2005 MIAA Tournament, Tilton placed second
in the No. 4 singles flight.

Senior Rafael Siebenschein (Lynden, WA/Lynden Christian HS) is expected to step
into the No. 2 singles slot. A two-time All-MIAA second team selection,
Siebenschein was 15-5 at No. 3 singles in 2005 and has a career singles record
of 30-9.

Other returning veterans include senior Ryan DeNooyer (Kalamazoo/Kalamazoo
Christian HS), juniors Dan Volkema (Spring Lake/Holland Christian HS) and David
Sneller (Sheboygan, WI/Sheboygan County Christian HS) and sophomore Michael
Goorhouse (Holland/Holland Christian HS).

Volkema played at No. 5 singles in 2005 and recorded a 15-5 mark. At the MIAA
Tournament, he took second in the No. 5 singles flight. Goorhouse stepped into
Calvin's No. 6 singles flight as a freshman in 2005 and led the Knights in
victories with 16. DeNooyer has been in Calvin's singles lineup in his career
but focused on his role at No. 3 doubles with Volkema in 2005, helping the
tandem record a 15-6 mark. Sneller is a savvy veteran who can fill a spot in
either the singles or doubles lineup. A lefthander, Sneller also provides a
different look to opponents on the court.

A trio of freshmen should also make significant contributions this spring.
Leading the freshmen class is Marcus Zeilstra (Oak Brook, IL/Timothy Christian
HS). The younger brother of former all-conference selection Tom Zeilstra,
Marcus is also looking to make an impact and should fill out one of the singles
flights as well as a spot in one of the top two doubles tandems. The other two
freshmen are Steve DeMaagd (Grandville/Calvin Christian HS) and Eric Bratt
(Grand Rapids/Grand Rapids Christian HS). Both will add depth and contend for
playing time.

The schedule again features several top-notch opponents. The Knights open the
year with the traditional Grand Rapids City Tournament with Grand Valley State,
Aquinas and Grand Rapids Community College. Calvin will then face the
nationally-ranked (NAIA) Saints of Aquinas on March 1. Other non-conference
opponents in early March include Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Concordia-Mequon (WI) and
Grand Valley State.

Calvin's spring break trip will take place March 18-24 in Orlando, Florida.
While in Orlando, Calvin will play six matches, facing opponents such as
Otterbein, Illinois Wesleyan and Grinnell. Other non-conference matches to
watch for Calvin include matches against Wheaton (April 7), the University of
Chicago (April 8) and Coe College (April 22).

The Knights open their MIAA dual match campaign on April 1 at Albion, a league
opponent that finished ahead of the Knights in the 2005 MIAA Tournament. The
2006 MIAA Tournament is scheduled for April 29 and 30 on the campus of
Kalamazoo College.

Jeff Febus
Sports Information Director
Calvin College
(616) 526-6169 Office
(616) 526-8551 Fax
Received on Thu Mar 16 23:08:34 2006