This is FROG TENNIS Head coach Dave Borelli looks for his TCU men’s tennis program to continue making progress in returning itself to its customary role among the nation’s elite in 2009-10. Seven players return from a squad that won the Mountain West Conference regular season championship a season ago while advancing to the NCAA Championships for the 18th time in 19 years. Borelli, now in his fourth season as Frog coach, believes his current squad possesses both the talent and exerience to continue the progress reached in his first three years. “We have had great teams, but I certainly feel this one has the potential to be the best I have had in terms of depth and experience,” Borelli said. “We have played a lot of freshmen and sophomores the last two years, so now they are a little older. We do have some impact freshmen on the roster this year, but the others are more experienced. That plays a big part because now we are more of a mature team.” The squad’s experience and maturity was on display during a fall season in which Borelli saw his team put in the work needed to improve. “Each of our 10 guys are accountable and responsible,” Borelli said. “This is the most fun group I have had. It has worked harder than any group I have had, particularly on the physical training. (Assistant Coach) Jason (Marshall) and (strength coach) Todd (Kensler) have really pushed the guys to their limits. We were able to work on some issues in their games during the fall, and I have seen improvement across the board.” Chief among TCU’s seven returning letterwinners are four regulars from the team’s 2009 dual match lineup in juniors Emanuel Brighiu, Zach Nichols and Christopher Price and sophomore Slah Mbarek. Brighiu and Mbarek each finished the spring included among the ITA’s individual singles and doubles ratings in addition to also earning All-MWC recognition in both categories. Brighiu (below) returns for his junior season as the only remaining letterwinner with experience in an NCAA individual event, as he advanced to the NCAA Doubles Championships a season ago with former teammate Adrian Simon. He earned his first all-conference doubles honor while appearing on the MWC’s singles list for the second consecutive season. Brighiu’s 11 matches at No. 1 singles in 2009 tied Mbarek for the team high, and he once again should be featured near the top of the Frog lineup in the coming season.
“I am so impressed with how (Emanuel) Brighiu has worked this year, both in the classroom and on the court,” Borelli said. “He had an elbow issue last year that is now in the past. If he can stay healthy, I really think his game will flourish this spring.” Mbarek (above) concluded his freshman year rated No. 93 in nation in singles and No. 44 in doubles with former Frog teammate Kriegler Brink, while he reached high respective positions during the year of No. 61 and 28. He took over the team’s top singles position midway through the year and helped lead TCU to the conference crown down the stretch after Brighiu’s injury hampered his campaign. Mbarek and Brink combined to post a solid 16-2 record in doubles. “We have worked a lot on Slah’s serve, and that aspect of his game has shown advancement,” Borelli said. “He did not have a kick serve before he came here. We changed his motion and his serve has improved. I am very excited, and I can honestly say that he has improved”. Nichols, now in his third season in Borelli’s program, continued his development as a sophomore after cracking the team’s lineup as a freshman in 2008. He played predominately at the No. 4 spot in singles and No. 3 slot in doubles alongside Price last season. His 24 singles wins ranked second on the team behind only Brink, and he should once again play a key role for TCU’s team hopes as a junior. “I would be really disappointed if Zach does not have a good year,” Borelli said. “We worked on his preparation on his ground strokes in addition to working on his volley. He is also more physically mature than he was a year ago.” Price saw a good amount of success for the Frogs last spring after transferring from Duke prior to the start of the semester, especially during the squad’s MWC schedule. After settling in at the team’s No. 5 singles slot, Price went 5-1 in conference play before finishing with a 10-3 mark at the position. He won MWC Player of the Week honors once during the spring, and his conference win total tied Brink for the team lead. “Price’s movement is off the charts,” Borelli said. “He is moving so well, and that was a big issue for him last year. Also, his consistency on the ground has improved greatly.” TCU will look to a group of six other returners and newcomers to help fill out the lineup in its conference championship defense this spring. Among the returners are three players added to the roster prior to last season in senior Kelubia Mabatah, junior Cameron Nash and sophomore Paul Chappell. Three freshmen added for 2009 in Santiago Centeno, Marius-Adrian Cirstea and Sören Goritzka also will push for playing time. Mabatah saw limited duty for TCU in 2009, playing two matches at No. 6 singles in the spring, while Nash hit the court only during the fall tournament season. Chappell redshirted following his transfer from Indiana. “Kelubia has had elbow issues, but he plays very smart. He has been able
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