Coach Jeff Hamilton looks for his first season as tennis coach at Shawnee State to be a successful one.  The Bears return six players from last year's squad that went 5-4 (4-3 AMC) on the season.  The returning players accounted for 20 of the 28 singles matches won by SSU last season.  "I'm really looking forward to getting started," said Hamilton.  "We've been hard at it since January, and the work is starting to pay off.  I think we've definitely got the talent to make the conference/regional tournament.  Hopefully, should we get there, we can make some noise."

Becky Holden and Andria Smalley will likely battle for the number 1 spot in singles.  Holden was 7-2 playing in the 2nd and 3rd positions last season.  She may slide down due to back problems in the off season.  Smalley returned from knee surgery late in the season to post a 3-2 record.

The remaining four singles positions are wide open.  However, the likely candidates to fill the spots are returning players Stephanie Born (3-1 in 2001), Amanda Holbrook (1-8), Doris Staler (5-3) and Jessica Cooper (1-1).  Look for newcomers Rachel Smalley, Angel Ross, and Andrea Gilliam to get into the mix as well.

Look for Holbrook and Smalley to nail down the number 1 double spot.  Holbrook is an accomplished doubles player having won 9 matches with various partners during her career.  Holden and Staler will likely play #2.  The duo won the only match in which they played together last season.  Born and Cooper look to hold the #3 position.  

Shawnee State opens the season versus defending NAIA Region IX Champion, Walsh University, on Friday, March 22.  The Bears open play at home on Saturday, April 6, versus Seton Hill College.