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With the return of five starters, Coach Chuck Kriese expects this to be another outstanding team, one that challenges for postseason championships.
Headlining the Tiger returnees are doubles All-Americans Mitch Sprengelmeyer and Bruce Li. The duo of Sprengelmeyer and Li earned All-America honors by finishing 10th in the final ITA Doubles poll. They finished last year with a record of 29-12 as a doubles duo.
In singles, Sprengelmeyer played number-one singles for the Tigers and finished the season with a 30-13 singles record for the season. The Florence, SC native had a record of 30-12 in doubles play for the Tigers and also finished 59th in the final ITA singles poll. Li played at number two singles last year and had a record of 25-16. In doubles play, Li posted a record of 30-15.
The Sprengelmeyer and Li tandum won the Atlantic Coast Conference number-one doubles flight with their record of 7-2. "We should be excellent at the top of our lineup with Bruce Li and Mitch Sprengelmeyer returning," said Head Coach Chuck Kriese, who is entering his 22nd season.
"We have everybody back and we're bringing two excellent freshmen to Clemson. Last season was a year we had to develop our young talent. We also have two outstanding upper classmen in the top of our lineup with Mitch Sprengelmeyer and Bruce Li, the only two returning All-Americans in the ACC. "They both had exellent summers on the satellite tour where they made some great strides in their game. They should be our impact players at the top of our lineup, and we haven't had such impact players at the top of our lineup in a long time. We should have the premier doubles team and number one and two singles players in the ACC this season with Li and Sprengelmeyer.
"Li and Sprengelmeyer have established themselves as players on their way to successful professional careers if they continue their steady improvement. Sprengelmeyer made a step up this summer and fall. He looked like a pro caliber player. "Bruce Li continues to be an exciting player to coach and watch develop. This past summer, he beat the number one Chinese Davis Cup player and gained valuable experience in China. Bruce looks to improve his game."
Clemson finished the 1996 season with a 12-12 record overall and a 5-3 ledger in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Tigers also participated in the 1996 NCAA Tournament, their 15th appearance in the last 18 seasons.
Also returning to the Tiger ranks are Luis Garcia, Ryan Bauer, Ken Wasserman, and Clay Fouse. Garcia was a freshman starter at number-five singles and compiled a 21-26 record in singles play and a 16-8 mark in doubles. He was fourth on the team for most doubles victories. Ken Wasserman played the most matches of any Tiger last season, as he had a 26-27 singles ledger and played primarily at number-six singles. He also had a respectable 21-15 record in doubles, the third most double victories on the 1996 team. Wasserman and Garcia were the two starters at number-three doubles. The pair finished the season with an 11-6 record, the second most victories by a doubles team last season.
"Garcia, Bauer, and Wasserman, had good years in 1996. They made big jumps in their respective games this past summer. Wasserman hit a stride last year and continues to improve. He could become one of the top players. "Bauer is one of the toughest players mentatally I coached in quite a while. Everyone that plays Ryan comes off the court exhausted. He does a great job and as he develops, he could push any player in the southeast. "Fouse has improved and should add leadership as he is one of our two seniors."
Neto Olivia, a native of Brazil, joined the Tiger squad as a freshman in January. The newcomers also include: redshirt freshman Pablo Bellagamba from Lyndhurst, New Jersey, and freshman Sandon Barth from Charleston. "All our newcomers should step in and contribute and make this a deep team this season. Barth is a big surprise. He is talented and will add depth to our team--he is improving so fast it is almost before your eyes. "We are looking for Neto to add to our depth. He was ranked number-four in his age group in Brazil. Bellagama is a talented player and is an excellent serve and volley, and doubles player. He simply needs more court time. "Bauer, Wasserman, and Olivia--anyone of these players can step up and help us with solidifying the middle of our lineup. Bellagamba and Garcia also have the potential to step up if they improve fast enough.
"We have been disappointed we have not won the ACC lately. To get back on top everybody on the team has to hit their stride. We must play well and as time progresses, we will gain confidence. The ACC will be tough again this year, it is one of the best leagues in the country. "One area we need to accentuate is the middle part of our lineup . If it is strong we can be a contender for the league title. We got to the finals with a veteran team two years ago. This year we are a veteran team. Last year we had two returning players and a lot of rookies. Now, we have an experienced team, and we are looking for good things. We will be much better from top to bottom and will be excellent in doubles.
"We will be extremely good at the low positions as well. The critical ingredient will be to find someone to step up at number-three singles. "We have good depth, leadership and good doubles play, the three ingredients that make a good team.
"It is a Clemson Tennis tradition to shoot for the elite. I am very optimistic about this team, and this is one of my favorite squads because of their work ethic."
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