2014 Shorter Men's Tennis Schedule
2014 Shorter Women's Tennis Schedule

By Jim O'Hara
 
ROME, Ga. – Despite being hampered by the recent winter weather, the Shorter men's and women's tennis teams are poised to make sure that the new season warms up right away.

And that begins Saturday at the Rome-Floyd Tennis Center at 2 p.m. when the Hawks and Lady Hawks hit the courts for their first matches of 2014 with the men taking on Gadsden State and the women facing Clayton State.

"Although we some setbacks in getting consistent practices due to the unusual weather," head coach Orville Adams said, "both teams are eager to start."

That eagerness comes thanks to what was a solid start for the program in 2013 when both teams, who return a core of veterans and have added talented newcomers to the rosters, turned in solid performances in their first season competing in the NCAA Division II and the Gulf South Conference, and as a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association.

Last year, the Hawks ended the season ranked No. 8 in the country in the NCCAA and were the No. 1 team in the NCCAA Southern Region, eventually advancing to the semifinal round of the NCCAA national championship tournament.

This time around, the Hawks have a lineup that blends experience with new faces that has the potential to do even better.

Cody Carr of Cave Spring returns as the lone senior for the Hawks, while four juniors stand ready to hit the winning shots for the Hawks – Marc Guerry of France, who was an NCCAA Second Team All-American last year; Arturo Lifshitz of Mexico; John Nichols of Cedartown; and Eric Heglund of Bethlehem.

Two sophomores, Nikola Pavlovic of Serbia and Robert Watson of Griffin, also return for the Hawks while newcomers Alexis Catillon, a junior from France, freshman Louis Tourtois from France, and freshman Dillon Humphries of Hiram add to the team's strengths.

"The men's tennis team is looking forward to having a good regular season," said Adams, "to gain a higher position in the GSC ranking, win the NCCAA Southern Region tournament and to qualify for the NCCAA national championship.

"We are a very committed, disciplined, patient and motivated team so far this year," the coach added, "and hope that our young men could continue to sustain this mindset throughout the season and achieve the goals they wish to accomplish."

The Lady Hawks will open the season with perhaps the best depth the team has had in several years and, like the men, are committed to emerge as the top team in the GSC and the NCCAA South Region and advance to the NCCAA national tourney.

Last year the Lady Hawks finished the season ranked No. 6 in the country in the NCCAA division with a 13-7 overall record, was the No. 3 team in the Gulf South and was ranked No. 2 in the NCCAA South.

Candice Laurent of France is the lone senior for the Lady Hawks this year and is looking to close out her career at Shorter turning in the same kind of performance she had in 2013 when she was named an NCCAA First Team All-American.

Junior Aurelie Gaborit of France was also an NCCAA First Team All-American selection last season and is joined by two more junior veterans, Emily Wilson of Summerville and Brooke Hiott of White. Also returning is a pair of seasoned sophomores, Aurore Beltrando of France and Sicquena Sinclair of Jamaica.

And three newcomers add their skills to the lineup as sophomore Samya El Hsissen of Spain, and freshmen Daniela Chipe of Ecuador and Ornella Frere of France are ready to serve up wins for the Lady Hawks.

"The women's team is built out of courage, determination, dedication and sacrifice for their fellow teammates," said Adams. "I believe this year's team, with Candice at the No. 1 position for the fourth straight season and with a wealth of experience and leadership we have, will steer the Lady Hawks to the NCCAA national championship."