GRANTHAM, Pa. – The Messiah men's and women's tennis teams get set to kick off their 2021 campaign tomorrow afternoon when they travel to York (Pa.) to take on the Spartans at 1:00 p.m. The men's team fell to the Spartans during the fall of 2019 (5-4) while the women dropped a 9-0 decision.
Both the men's and women's teams were 0-2 during their fall slate in 2019, while also competing in the MAC Individual Championships. Their 2020 spring season was canceled due to COVID 19.
Roster (Men)
The Falcons return a lot of experience from last year's squad while also welcoming a few newcomers. Seniors
Andrew Bookman and
Galen Fitzkee along with junior
Jarod Snader will look to shore up the top three spots of the lineup in singles while the duo of Bookman and Fitzkee will start the year at No. 1 doubles.
AJ Swanson will also bring experience to the starting lineup for the Falcons. Last year at the MAC Individual Championships in the fall, Swanson and
Connor Rose fell in the finals of the No. 4 doubles bracket. Rose and
Ellis Martin are injured to start the season for Messiah.
Sophomores
Jonathan Baker and
Jaron Wenger will play in their first collegiate matches tomorrow afternoon at York (Pa.). Snader will team up with Baker in No. 2 doubles while Wenger will team up with Swanson at No. 3 doubles.
Messiah also welcomes two freshmen in
Michael Niemi and
Casey Rossel to this year's team.
Roster (Women)
On the women's side, Messiah returns a few experienced starters in
Rebekah Adams,
Rachel Marcroft, and
Sarah Fleming. They will also have a trio of Falcons making their collegiate debuts in
Kasi Conjack,
Rebekah Sheaffer, and
Hannah Olson.
Other Falcons to look out for this season are
Hannah Murray,
Caitlin Knapp and
Angela Tozzi, who all competed for Messiah at the 2019 MAC Individual Championships. Murray was a runner-up in the No. 7 singles bracket in 2018.
Coaches and Schedule
Returning for his tenth season at the helm of the Messiah tennis program is head coach
Jon Arosell. During his time with the Falcons, Arosell has led the program to eight MAC Commonwealth Championships (5 men, 3 women). Joining him on the courts for his fourth season is assistant coach
Mike Kovacs.
After the Falcons take on York (Pa.) tomorrow afternoon, they take on Wilkes University next Saturday in their home opener on Criste Courts at 1:00 p.m. They then travel to Lycoming on Apr. 1 to take on the Warriors at 1:00 p.m. before beginning their MAC Commonwealth slate. On Apr. 10 they host York (Pa.) for a rematch before the men host Alvernia on Apr. 13 and the women Apr. 14. They travel to Stevenson (Apr. 17) and the women travel to Lebanon Valley on Apr. 20 and the men Apr. 21. They round out their seasons with a pair of home matches against Hood (Apr. 24) and Eastern (May 1).
