Furman head coach Paul Scarpa has been a Division I head coach for 35 seasons and has coached in more than 1000 career matches, but when he looks at his 1999 squad, he sees one of his toughest challenges yet. Following the graduation of Sam Schroerlucke, one of Furman's most heralded tennis players ever, and the departure of No. 2 singles player Adam Abney and two of Furman's other top seven players, Scarpa will be forced to adapt and find a new nucleus to take the Paladins back to the top of the Southern Conference standings.
Scarpa's Paladins have won the Southern Conference championship 12 times, while they have won the Southern Conference Tournament ten times. Even more remarkably, Scarpa, the third winningest active coach in Division I, has guided Furman to winning seasons in 29 of the last 30 years, despite consistently playing five to ten nationally ranked opponents a year.
"I am looking forward to this challenge," said Scarpa. "Most schools in the area realize our loss and don't expect good results from us this season. We hope to prove people wrong, which should make for an exciting season. Though we may not be as good on paper as we have in the past, our goal is the same as always: to win the Southern Conference and improve with each match we play."
Winning the Southern Conference may be more difficult this season, but it will also be more rewarding. For the first time, the champion of the league will receive an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament. Though Furman swept through the conference season with a 9-0 record a year ago, at least five teams return several top players. Expected SoCon teams to make a run at the title this season, include East Tennessee State, UNC Greensboro, Georgia Southern, and Chattanooga. In addition, the College of Charleston joins the Southern Conference this season.
Scarpa has once again put together a very tough non-conference schedule, including four teams in the Top 20 and 11 in the Top 60. Featured in what is likely one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the country are #2 Georgia, #10 Duke, #13 Florida, #19 Baylor, along with Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Florida State, Rice, Wake Forest, Clemson, and Virginia.
With the loss of so many top level players, Furman will count on several returnees and newcomers to make an immediate impact. In all, Furman welcomes 13 newcomers, including 11 freshman to the mix in 1999.
"We have a lot of fine players," said Scarpa. "Our lineup could change week-to-week, match-to-match. There are a lot of players who could contribute in both singles and doubles."
Sophomore Lee Nickell is expected to fill the top singles position this season. Nickell, a sophomore from Dunwoody, Ga., posted a 10-15 singles record a year ago, playing mostly at No. 3. Nickell is an extremely hard hitting player, who can cause problems for opponents when he is at the top of his game.
Two incumbents, junior Drew Parker and senior Brian Gill, are expected to fill the next two singles positions. Parker, from St. Simons Island, Ga., has posted a near .500 record over his first two seasons while playing No.'s 4-6. He will have to equal, if not improve on that record at No.'s 2-3 this season for Furman to be successful. Gill, from Austin, Texas, will also be expected to improve his play at a tougher position in 1999, as well as supply senior leadership.
The rest of the Furman lineup is very volatile and could change. Expect transfer James Moeckel to fill a prominent role in the singles lineup throughout the season. Moeckel, from Atlanta, Ga., comes from Tulane and enters as a sophomore. Scarpa expects freshmen Patrick Gaughan and Jete O'Keeffe to make an early impact. Both are solid players and their development could play a huge role in the Paladin season. Senior Lex Altman has served as a reserve for three seasons, but could see significant action this season. He has improved his game considerably and is excited about the opportunity to seeaction.
Four other freshmen expected to push for playing time in the singles lineup include Kevin Patrick, Michael Jacobson, Seth Hauser, and Brock MacKay. Patrick and Jacobson, especially, had exceptional fall seasons. Hauser comes in with high expectations and has the ability to make a solid impact. MacKay has the ability to play with anybody and has excellent ground strokes.
Senior Cheney Meiere, sophomore Charlie Lloyd, sophomore Brandon Smith, and sophomore Aaron Burleson also expect to have a shot for playing time. Meiere played as a freshman, and returns after two seasons away from the squad. Lloyd, Smith, and Burleson return after serving in reserve roles as freshmen.
Freshman Jon Navarro is an outstanding doubles player who Scarpa expects to be a part of the Furman doubles lineup. Also, expect freshman Peter Netzler to figure into the doubles lineup. Jerome Johnson, although a freshman, is already a team leader and could also find some playing time in doubles.
Injured freshman Stephen Metz and redshirt freshman Branham Tomarchio round out the Paladin lineup.