For those who follow the men's tennis team, does anyone know if Derrick Bauer is still on the team. He is not listed on the current team roster on collegetennisonline.com. They are usually accurate, so I was just wondering what is his status?

With the signing of the Australian player, does anyone have an idea of who will be playing where? It appears that depth is a team strength this year.

Finally, has anyone seen any of the four freshman play? Comments?

I've heard that Bauer is gone. Don't know exactly how good this guy from Australia is, but I would say that he probably plays the 4 spot unless he's a badass. Newport, Lester, and Ante would be our top 3. I expect Matt Loucks, one of our freshman, to play 5 with Khaled playing 6.

From the results of this weekend, I think we have our #3 doubles team - Loucks and John Nallon, another freshman. They beat the #17 team in the nation from SMU and then lost to another good team from Baylor. I'd expect Lester, Ante, Newport and the Australian to comprise the top 2 doubles teams, but I'm not sure if Newport and Lester will play together like last year or if Lester and Ante will play together, as they have this fall.

Just my thoughts. I can't wait for tennis to start back up. It's a lot less disappointing following tennis than it is football.

Bummer about Bauer - I really liked his game. Plus, he seemed like a really nice kid. Any idea why he left the team?

From reading the press release, Fenner seems like a bad ass. If he does play four, that gives us a really strong four much like Matijevic last year and Caradima two years ago. Regardless, I think we have very good depth (although very young). Having El Dorry at six is a plus because he is an experience player.

I'm excited about the season - I think they have a shot at making it to Tulsa. I agree with you, much less disappointing than the football team.

from the early results loucks looks like a straight-up baller. beating jose "captain hook" zarhi in a 3rd set tiebreak in one of his first tournaments in college? that's extremely promising, to say the least. can't wait for the season to start up again...

Newport and Lester had an impressive showing in the ATP Challenger circuit tournament last week here in SA. They won their first round match in the main draw and played well in a second round loss. ATP Challengers are the equivalent of AAA ball in pro tennis. This particular tournamant had the number 75 ranked player in the world, US Davis Cupper Mardy Fish who is top 100 and several other players ranked around 100. There were several former NCAA champions in the draw. I couldn't make the matches but my wife did. I asked her to yell "You da man Lester" but she disrespectfully declined.

Were Newport and Cook playing singles or doubles?

Any guesses on our doubles teams?

Any word on how strong Baylor and Texas will be this year? Did they bring any recruits that will help them immediately?

Does anyone know where the Texas Cup will be this year?

My guess on the lineup (granted I haven't seen any of our new guys play...I'm just going on their results so far this fall and they're ranking coming in):

Singles:
1 - Newport
2 - Lester (or Ante)
3 - Ante (or Lester)
4 - Fenner
5 - Loucks
6 - Khaled

Doubles:
1 - Newport/Lester (or Lester/Ante)
2 - Ante/Fenner (or Newport/Fenner)
3 - Loucks/Nallon
(1 and 2 doubles might be switched if Lester and Ante play doubles together)

I'm interested to hear what other people think. Maybe someone that has seen these new guys play some. I have no idea how Fenner's gonna fit in, so his position is strickly a guess. I think Loucks plays singles though and him and Nallon have been a successful doubles team so far.

I agree about Fenner. My guess is that he may play as high as #2 being that he was the #1 junior in Australia. He also is listed at 6'-1" so he is a big kid.

I think the first two doubles teams will be a mix of Newport, Cook, Matijevic, and Fenner.

I would leave Ed Dorry at #6 - he is a very strong #6 and should be good for a point most matches.

They played both. They both lost 1st round in qualies in singles and in doubles won first round match in main draw.

If Fenner can come in and play #2 over Lester and Ante, then we should be in pretty good shape this year. That would have us w/ our top 4 players ranked in the top 100...based on the fact that Lester and Ante are both ranked now. Those rankings change though...still a pretty stout top 4 if Fenner comes in and plays 2.

Lester and Ante will only be better after playing as freshman last year. If they end up playing the same positions that they did for last year, I see them stepping up big time.

I wonder if Cass has targeted anyone else to come in for the spring. I have no confirmation on Bauer actually leaving but I'd assume Cass would try to find someone to replace his spot if he did leave. Fenner might be that guy...or he might have targeted him already and try to bring in another player to take Bauer's spot.