Allegheny College Tennis

Gators Prepare for Spring Season

2012-02-08T17:01:00.002-05:00

The spring season is underway and the Allegheny Men's and Women's tennis teams have been hard at work preparing for their upcoming matches. The Gators have been working hard in the weight room, the pool, and on the tennis courts as they look ahead to an exciting season. Take a look at the video to see a few of the things the Gators have been doing during practice.

Luteran Named USTA Allegheny Mountain District Coach of the Year

2012-01-24T13:31:00.003-05:00

MEADVILLE, Pa. - Allegheny men's and women's tennis Head Coach Jared Luteran was named the 2011 USTA Allegheny Mountain District Collegiate Coach of the Year earlier this month. Luteran has been at the helm for Allegheny since the 2002-03 season, and was selected as NCAC Co-Coach of the year in 2007.

The USTA Allegheny Mountain District Collegiate Coach of the Year honor is given to one college coach in the Pittsburgh, Western Pennsylvania, and Wheeling, West Virginia area who exemplifies the spirit of tennis both on and off the court.

"It is great to have such a quality program in the district," said President of the USTA Allegheny Mountain District David Dilettuso.

Luteran and the Gators tennis squads have had muich success in recent years. Just last season, Luteran coached NCAC Newcomer of the Year Pat Cole to top 25 regional ranking, while seeing eight men and women named with All-NCAC honors, including a record five on the women's side. The women had their best season since 1998, finishing third in the conference, while ending the year with their first ITA Regional Ranking.

Off the court, Allegheny tennis has been helping with the youth of Meadville. In the spring, the Gators held a Campus Kids Day; offering a chance for the children in the area to watch an Allegheny Tennis match for free. In the fall, Luteran and the Gators held a free clinic for all kids in the Meadville community; as well as holding their Make a Difference day, where the entire team went to the Meadville Children's Center and helped re-paint the inside of the center.

"It is an honor to be recognized by the USTA for all the hard work our players have put in on and off the court," Said Luteran on recieveing the Coach of the Year honor. "I would like to thank the AMD Board of Directors for this special recognition."

Tennis Staff Attends ITA Coaches Convention

2011-12-20T17:01:00.002-05:00

Coach Luteran and Coach Kreitzer attended the 27th annual Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Coaches Convention at the Naples Grande Beach Resort, Dec. 13-16, 2011. If you watch the video clip above you will see Gator Tennis alum, Evan Gordon, hitting some balls and chatting with Stan Smith and Malivai Washington. Evan currently teaches at the Naples Grande Resort through Peter Burwash International and he was called upon to hit in during most of the on court demonstrations. This was the 8th convention for Coach Luteran and the first time attending for Coach Kreitzer.

The ITA Coaches Convention is one of the best professional development opportunities for collegiate tennis coaches today, providing them with the opportunity to receive continuing education, participate in important association business meetings and serve as leaders in promoting the growth of varsity college tennis.

Hundreds of men's and women's college tennis coaches from all divisions gathered for this year's convention in Naples, where they were treated to workshops led by some of the biggest names in the sport. Among the featured clinic presenters at the 2011 ITA Coaches Convention were seven-time Grand Slam champion Stan Smith, who won three national titles at USC; 1996 Wimbledon finalist MaliVai Washington, a former ITA No. 1 at the University of Michigan; International Tennis Hall of Fame Class of 2012 nominee Nick Bollettieri; and 2011 Wilson/ITA National Division I Coaches of the Year Kenny Thorne (Georgia Tech University men) and Roland Thornqvist (University of Florida women).

In addition to offering clinics, panel discussions, an awards banquet, a trade show and a chance to exchange ideas, the ITA Coaches Convention is also the venue for the association’s annual meetings, which included ITA Operating Committee, Divisional Roundtable and General Membership sessions.

“The convention is always a very exciting time of the year for our coaches association,” said ITA Executive Director David Benjamin. “Besides being able to take in great clinics and workshops at a beautiful resort in a great city, the coaches also have a forum to meet and discuss the important issues within college tennis today.”

A highlight each year at the ITA Coaches Convention is the ITA Awards Banquet. On Dec. 15, Thorne, Thornqvist and their fellow Wilson/ITA Coach of the Year winners from Division II, Division III, NAIA and Junior Colleges were honored for their work during the 2010-11 season. In addition, Claire Pollard of Northwestern University received the USTA/ITA National Campus and Community Outreach Award and Matt Meredith of Slippery Rock University was recognized as the USTA/ITA National QuickStart Provider of the Year.

Washington served as the keynote speaker of the evening, courtesy of Wilson Sporting Goods. Before peaking at No. 11 in the world as a professional, Washington was a two-time ITA All-American and the 1989 ITA National Player of the Year as a member of the Wolverines. He defeated Big-Ten rival Todd Martin of Northwestern in the 1996 Wimbledon semifinals.
For more information about the ITA Coaches Convention and a full list of award winners, please visit www.ITAtennis.com.

Elyse Schmitt Returns from Germany with First Place Prize!

2011-11-15T15:40:00.006-05:00

Elyse Schmitt recently attended the oikos Winter School for sustainable entrepreneurship in Berlin, Germany. In her travels, she met people from all around the world with business ideas contributing to sustainability. In her week, she attended leadership and business workshops as well as listened to lectures from entrepreneurs from around the world. The last few days consisted of business competitions in which the twenty-five students voted for six projects to be presented to a jury. Elyse was voted and competed against five others. The jury awarded her first place with a cash prize to invest in her community garden with aquaponics plan. She is continuing her research with her senior composition.

Coach Luteran Takes Trivia Champs Out To Lunch

2011-10-26T17:17:00.003-04:00

Some Allegheny tennis players got a break from the hustle and bustle of life on the hill Wednesday as Coach Luteran took them out to lunch at a nearby local restaurant. Earlier in the year the men's and women's team divided up and competed in a trivia game regarding all things tennis related. The prize for the game was a lunch at Julian's Grill in Meadville. Alex Hurtuk, Janna Dickerson, Pat Cole, and Dan Conroy were the lucky winners!

Community Service Weekend!

2011-10-26T16:33:00.009-04:00

Make A Difference Day
The Allegheny men’s and women’s tennis teams participated in the national “Make a Difference Day” by volunteering their time to help paint at the local Meadville Children’s Center on campus. For the past nine years the Allegheny tennis teams have participated in “Make a Difference Day” by volunteering at such places as Conneaut Lake Park, The Academy Theater, Roche Park, and Hog Heaven. This year members of both teams, along with the coaching staff, woke up early on Saturday October 22nd and painted at the Meadville Children's Center until the classrooms looked like new. The day served as a chance for the tennis teams and coaches to give back to the community and also to spend some time with one another.

Free Tennis Clinic for Kids
The Allegheny men's and women's tennis teams held their annual free tennis clinic for the youth of Meadville and surrounding areas on Sunday, October 23rd. Everyone ages 5-18 was invited to attend the event and a wide range of skill levels were present at the clinic. The Gators enjoyed an hour and a half of sharing their passion for the game of tennis with kids of all ages and abilities. The morning began with a warm-up led by the players, followed by drills, instruction, games, prizes, and of course a whole lot of fun.

Allegheny Tennis Travels to Buffalo To Watch Past Champions

2011-10-24T11:19:00.006-04:00

Members of the Allegheny tennis team traveled to Buffalo this past weekend to watch several former American champions compete in the HSBC Tennis Cup. The event featured four tennis greats: John McEnroe, Jim Courier, Michael Chang, and Todd Martin. The semi-final match ups were McEnroe vs. Courier and Chang vs. Martin, with McEnroe and Martin both winning with relative ease. Courier seemed to be in high spirits after his match, as he signed autographs for two Allegheny players following his defeat. The final was an entertaining one, and the crowd got what they wanted when the New Yorker McEnroe defeated Todd Martin.

Women's Team Volunteers At Local Farm

2011-10-10T17:40:00.004-04:00

The women's tennis team spent a wonderful sunny afternoon volunteering a few hours of their time at Fresh from the Vines, a local sustainable farm. Fresh from the Vines is supported largely by volunteers and the team provided welcome help with chores like raking the edge of the field, removing plant clips and splitting garlic to be planted. They were also able to enjoy the company of some of the farm's many dogs, donkeys, chickens and even the alpaca.

Allegheny Wins Nail Biter at Grove City

2011-10-06T15:52:00.000-04:00

GROVE CITY, Pa. - The 24 time defending PAC champion Wolverines gave Allegheny everything it could handle, but the Gators came out victorious with a 5-4 win over Grove City.

Allegheny would get off to a solid start, getting victories from their number one and number three doubles, putting themselves up 2-1 going into singles play. However, when the first two results of singles play came in, Allegheny suddenly found them in a 3-2 hole.

The Gators would battle back, with thrilling three set victories from seniors Deborah Landau and Elyse Schmitt.

Allegheny finally clinched the match when sophomore Kathleen McBride defeated Emily Buurma 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 to improve the Gators to 2-2 on the 2011 season.

Allegheny will be off until mid-February when they will travel to Pennbriar Athletic Club in Erie, Pa. to battle non-conference foe John Carroll on February 12.

Allegheny 5, Grove City 4
Oct 05, 2011 at Grove City, Pa. (Grove City College Courts)

Singles competition
1. Stacy Moon (GRO) def. Carolyn Shetter (ALLW) 6-2, 6-3
2. Deborah Landau (ALLW) def. Megan Bennett (GRO) 4-6, 6-3, 6-2
3. Elyse Schmitt (ALLW) def. Christina Bedi (GRO) 6-3, 6-7, 6-3
4. Reena Barnett (GRO) def. Laura Steele (ALLW) 6-2, 6-3
5. Caroline McGuire (GRO) def. Janna Dickerson (ALLW) 6-2, 7-5
6. Kathleen McBride (ALLW) def. Emily Buurma (GRO) 4-6, 6-4, 6-4

Doubles competition
1. Carolyn Shetter/Deborah Landau (ALLW) def. Stacy Moon/Megan Bennett (GRO) 8-6
2. Reena Barnett/Caroline McGuire (GRO) def. Janna Dickerson/Elyse Schmitt (ALLW) 8-4
3. Laura Steele/Kathleen McBride (ALLW) def. Christina Bedi/Lauren Troxel (GRO) 8-3

Allegheny Cruises Past Grove City

2011-10-06T14:37:00.000-04:00

GROVE CITY, Pa. - The Allegheny men's tennis team traveled to Grove City Wednesday night to take on the 21 time defending PAC champion Wolverines.

The Gators would jump out to a fast start, sweeping all three doubles competitions.

Allegheny would use their momentum from the doubles session, as they would take four of the six singles matches for the 7-2 victory.

Sophomore Patrick Cole had no trouble with Caleb Fuller 6-4, 6-1; while fellow sophomore Frank Mosconi played brilliantly, dropping just three combined games in doubles and singles play.

Freshmen Kevin Kacer and junior Mike Provenzano also had singles victories to improve Allegheny to 3-1 on the 2011 season.

The Gators will be off until mid-February when they will travel to Pennbriar Athletic Club in Erie, Pa. to battle non-conference foe John Carroll on February 12.

Allegheny 7, Grove City 2
Oct 05, 2011 at Grove City, Pa.

Singles competition
1. Patrick Cole (ALLM) def. Caleb Fuller (GRO) 6-4, 6-1
2. Peter Riley (GRO) def. Alex Hurtuk (ALLM) 6-4, 6-4
3. Mike Provenzano (ALLM) def. Anthony Rosselli (GRO) 6-3, 6-3
4. Kevin Kacer (ALLM) def. Scott Yanak (GRO) 3-6, 6-4, 1-0 (10-7)
5. Frank Mosconi (ALLM) def. Steve Harrison (GRO) 6-1, 6-0
6. Andrew Deckert (GRO) def. Danny Jacobs (ALLM) 6-3, 6-2

Doubles competition
1. Patrick Cole/Kevin Kacer (ALLM) def. Caleb Fuller/Anthony Rosselli (GRO) 8-6
2. Alex Hurtuk/Mike Provenzano (ALLM) def. Peter Riley/Andrew Deckert (GRO) 8-5
3. Frank Mosconi/Daniel Conroy (ALLM) def. Scott Yanak/Steve Harrison (GRO) 8-2

Gators End Well at ITA Tournament

2011-10-04T13:38:00.007-04:00

KALAMAZOO, Mich. - Allegheny traveled to Kalamazoo, Michigan this weekend to compete in the ITA Regional Championships. The tournament was split into two draws; Carolyn Shetter, Elyse Schmitt, Laura Steele, and Debroah Landau were selected in the main draw, while Kathleen McBride was chosen in the Kalamazoo draw.

Day one, on Friday, September 30, was a tough start for Allegheny. Shetter would win her first singles match in the main draw, but that would be the only highlight of the day as the Gators struggled to get their footing.

Day two, on Saturday, saw Allegheny turn a complete 360. After dropping their first matches, the Gators were put in the consolation bracket of each draw respectively.

In the main draw singles consolation, Landau would defeat Whitney Lewis of Ozarks 6-0, 6-0, and Finley Gates of Oberlin 6-1, 4-6, 10-7, to advance to the quarter-final round. Landau would battle tough against Jordan Leslie of Ohio Wesleyan, but would fall just short 7-5, 2-6, 9-11.

In doubles consolation, the pairings of Schmitt/Steele and Landau/Shetter would both win their first round matches. While Schmitt and Steele were eliminated in the quarters, Landau and Shetter advanced all the way to the final, defeating Christie Gales and Michelle Tuma of Ohio Northern, 9-7, to take home the consolation doubles championship.

Meanwhile, in the Kalamazoo singles consolation, McBride would advance to the quarter-finals as well, defeating Becky Simon of Ohio Wesleyan, and Ellen Stein of Kenyon. Being the only Gator in the Kalamazoo draw, McBride was paired with Aarthi Kasilingam of Washington University for doubles play. After a tough loss on the first day, the pairing would get hot on day two, advancing all the way to the consolation final.

Men Have Strong Showing at Oberlin Invite

2011-10-03T00:06:00.002-04:00

The men competed in the third annual Oberlin Invitational and once again there was a lot of rain (3 straight years!). The first day was moved inside on just four courts and it made for a very long 13 hour day. The guys got some studying done when they weren't dominating on the tennis courts. They finished with 23 total singles and doubles wins and only 12 losses.

Click here for full article.

Men and Women Battle Div I Robert Morris

2011-09-28T20:59:00.005-04:00

The men and women had a hard fought match against Division I Robert Morris on Tuesday.

Click here to see the men's article and box score.
Click here to see the women's article and box score.

Men's ITA Championships at St. Louis, MO

2011-09-24T18:07:00.003-04:00

Mike Provenzano and Patrick Cole had a good showing at the ITA Championships at Washington University in St. Louis, MO. Cole was the 7th seed and he won his first two rounds, beating players from Kalamazoo and Kenyon, before falling in the third round to a player from Case Western University. Provenzano won his first round beating a player from Transylvania, before falling to the #1 seed from Kenyon.

Provenzano and Cole won their first round in doubles against a team from Earlham before falling to Case Western in the second round. To see the tournament website click here. To see the final story on the Allegheny sports site, click here.

Allegheny Tennis Supports Swimming and Diving Program at 5 Mile Run/Walk Event

2011-09-24T13:40:00.004-04:00

Members of the Allegheny College Tennis Team's met up early this morning to participate in a run/walk event where the proceeds went to the Allegheny Swimming and Diving Program. Many students, faculty members, and other Allegheny Swimming and Diving supporters showed up for the 5 mile run/walk. Times were recorded and prizes were given out to many different participants.

Gators Fare Well Against Nations Best at Oberlin Invitational

2011-09-21T13:45:00.003-04:00

9/19/2011 11:02:00 AM
Final Results from Oberlin Invitational Oberlin Invitational Box ScoreOBERLIN, Ohio - The Allegheny women's tennis squad traveled to Oberlin this past weekend, to take part in the Oberlin Invitational presented my Marriot. With an impressive field that featured two nationally ranked division III teams from a year ago (Denison; Washington and Lee), and one nationally ranked division II team from last year (California University of Pennsylvania), the Gators would look to defeat some of the best talent in the country. The opening day would set a good tone for the weekend as Allegheny would win four of its six singles matches, with victories by Carolyn Shetter, Janna Dickerson, Elyse Schmitt, and Laura Steele. The Gators would not fare as well in doubles on Friday, with its only victory coming from the pair of Dickerson and Schmitt. Allegheny ended day one 5-4 overall, with two of the four losses coming to previously mentioned Cal U. Day two was a reversal of fortunes for the Gators, as Laura Steele picked up Allegheny's only singles victory of the day in straight sets. Deborah Landau and Kathleen McBride would both take their matches the distance, with each falling 6-2 in the third set. Two of the other three singles matches would see Elyse Schmitt and Carolyn Shetter facing tough opponents from Denison and Cal U respectively. Doubles brought a bright end to the second day of competition, as Allegheny would go 4-2, with victories coming from the pairings of Shetter/Landau, Dickerson/Schmitt, and two from Steele/McBride. The third and final day saw Allegheny participating in only singles matches, as they would bounce back and end the weekend like they started, going 4-2 with impressive victories from Dickerson, Schmitt, Steele, and McBride. All four won their matches in straight sets and no set would get closer than 6-4. The Gators would end the weekend with an overall record of 14-13, going 9-9 in singles play and 5-4 in doubles competition. Steele would lead the way for Allegheny, going undefeated (3-0) in singles play, and 2-1 with her doubles partner McBride. Not far behind were Schmitt and Dickerson who both went 2-1 in singles, and combined to go 2-1 in doubles play. The Gators will get a week break from competition, as they will travel to face division I Robert Morris on Tuesday, September 27.

Men's Tennis Stays Unbeaten on Wet and Wild Day

2011-09-14T11:00:00.009-04:00

MEADVILLE, Pa. - The men's tennis squad defeated Division II Mercyhurst, for the fourth season in a row, 5-0 Tuesday night at the Tennis Complex at Robertson. The win came just before the rain started to fall, as four singles matches were decided to stay unfinished.

Freshman Alex Hurtuk would lead the Gators, coming out victorious in both singles and doubles play. Hurtuk would take number three singles 6-1, 6-1 and paired up with Mike Provenzano to win number two doubles 8-3. Sophomore Charlie Murphy would come close to joining Hurtuk in winning both matches, however his number five singles match would remain unfinished at 6-1, 5-0. Murphy would get one victory though, pairing up with Frank Mosconi to claim number three doubles.

The men will have the next eight days off from competition until they travel to St. Louis for the ITA National Tournament from September 22-26.

Allegheny 5, Mercyhurst 0
Sep 13, 2011 at Meadville, Pa. (Robertson Complex)

Singles competition

1. Patrick Cole (ALL) vs. Keith Whittingham (MERC) 2-6, 3-1, unfinished

2. Mike Provenzano (ALL) vs. Jorn van der Veer (MERC) 2-6, 1-0, unfinished

3. Alex Hurtuk (ALL) def. Spencer Kilpatrick (MERC) 6-1, 6-1

4. Kevin Kacer (ALL) vs. Eric Drusko (MERC) 6-2, 3-0, unfinished

5. Charlie Murphy (ALL) vs. Mike Vinopal (MERC) 6-1, 5-0, unfinished

6. Frank Mosconi (ALL) def. Marucio Diaz (MERC), by default

Order of finish: 6, 3

Doubles competition

1. Patrick Cole/Kevin Kacer (ALL) def. Keith Whittingham/Jorn van der Veer (MERC) 8-5

2. Mike Provenzano/Alex Hurtuk (ALL) def. Eric Drusko/Spencer Kilpatrick (MERC) 8-3

3. Charlie Murphy/Frank Mosconi (ALL) def. Mike Vinopal/Marucio Diaz (MERC), by default

Order of finish: 3, 2, 1

Allegheny Handles Penn State-Behrend on Rain Shortened Day

2011-09-12T11:31:00.004-04:00

MEADVILLE, Pa. - The Allegheny women's tennis squad swept the Lions of Penn State-Behrend 9-0 on a rain shortened day inside the Wise Center. What was supposed to be the first match of the Nancy J. Heath Invitational ended up being the only match each team would play, as the impending threat of rain forced Baldwin-Wallace and Wlash to back out.

The change did not seem to affect the Gators as Carolyn Shetter, Deb Landau, Elyse Schmitt, Janna Dickerson, Laura Steele, and Kathleen McBride all won their singles matches quite handley. Allegheny also breezed through their doubles matches, only dropping a combined four games in the three matches.

The win gives the Gators a 1-0 start, as they will have to wait until Tuesday to play again against Mercyhurst at the Robertson Complex. Allegheny was scheduled to play John Carroll tomorrow, but the forecast has forced that match to be postponed for later in the season. Stay tuned to alleghenysports.com for the latest on all the postponed matches from this weekend.

Allegheny 9, Penn State Behrend 0
Sep 10, 2011 at Meadville, Pa. (Wise Center)

Singles competition

1. Carolyn Shetter (ALL) def. Arica Christman (BEHW) 6-0, 6-4

2. Deborah Landau (ALL) def. Leslie Durante (BEHW) 6-1, 7-5

3. Elyse Schmitt (ALL) def. Allison Quigley (BEHW) 6-1, 6-3

4. Janna Dickerson (ALL) def. Jade Buhite (BEHW) 6-1, 6-0

5. Laura Steele (ALL) def. Rachel Harris (BEHW) 6-1, 6-3

6. Kathleen McBride (ALL) def. Megan Nochese (BEHW) 6-1, 6-2

Doubles competition

1. Carolyn Shetter/Deborah Landau (ALL) def. Arica Christman/Leslie Durante (BEHW) 8-2

2. Elyse Schmitt/Janna Dickerson (ALL) def. Jade Buhite/Allison Quigley (BEHW) 8-1

3. Laura Steele/Kathleen McBride (ALL) def. Megan Nochese/Rachel Harris (BEHW) 8-1

Match Notes

Penn State Behrend 3-1

Allegheny 1-0

Gators Sweep Lions during Rain Shortened Day

2011-09-12T11:21:00.005-04:00

MEADVILLE, Pa. - The Allegheny men's tennis squad swept the Penn State-Behrend Lions for the second year in a row, as they won their first match of the season on a rain shortened day. Originally scheduled to be match one of the Nancy J. Heath Invitational, the Gators and Lions played their only matches of the day in the Wise Center instead of at the tennis courts within the Robertson Complex.

Patrick Cole, Alex Hurtuk, Kevin Kacer, Daniel Conory, Danny Jacobs, and Tyler Miller all won their singles matches with relative ease. In doubles competition, the Gators won all but three games; going 8-2 in #1 doubles, 8-1 in #2 doubles, and 8-0 in #3 doubles.

The win moves Allegheny to 1-0 on the young season. The Gators will take to the court next on Tuesday, against Mercyhurst College. Allegheny was scheduled to host John Carroll tomorrow, but impending rain has forced both teams to postpone the contest until later this season. Stay tuned to alleghenysports.com for information on all of this weekend's postponed matches.

Allegheny 9, Penn State Behrend 0
Sep 10, 2011 at Meadville, Pa. (Wise Center)

Singles competition

1. Patrick Cole (ALL) def. Taimi Ando (BEHM) 6-1, 6-1

2. Alex Hurtuk (ALL) def. Chris Galvin (BEHM) 6-1, 6-1

3. Kevin Kacer (ALL) def. Imade Osifo (BEHM) 6-0, 6-2

4. Daniel Conroy (ALL) def. Carson Emili (BEHM) 6-3, 6-0

5. Danny Jacobs (ALL) def. H. Mert Ozcan (BEHM) 6-3, 6-2

6. Tyler Miller (ALL) def. Dominick Rodriquez (BEHM) 6-0, 6-3

Doubles competition

1. Patrick Cole/Kevin Kacer (ALL) def. Taimi Ando/Chris Galvin (BEHM) 8-2

2. Mike Provenzano/Alex Hurtuk (ALL) def. Imade Osifo/Carson Emili (BEHM) 8-1

3. Charlie Murphy/Frank Mosconi (ALL) def. H. Mert Ozcan/Dominick Rodriquez (BEHM) 8-0

Match Notes

Penn State Behrend 0-1

Allegheny 1-0

Gator Tennis Teambuilding

2011-09-09T14:18:00.002-04:00

The night before our season opener against PS-Behrend, the men's and women's teams decided to participate in some team-building activities so that they could better get to know one another. In addition to playing the human knot (pictured above) both teams played a version of charades where each team had to decipher what professional tennis player or Allegheny tennis player their teammates were imitating.

Four Gators Earn ITA Scholar Athlete Award

2011-09-05T20:48:00.004-04:00

MEADVILLE, Pa. - Yesterday, the Intercollegiate Tennis Association released their list of 2011 Scholar Athletes. Allegheny Tennis was well represented as Lauren Kristofco ('10), senior Janna Dickerson, junior Amy Ochsenreiter, and sophomore Patrick Cole all earned the rights to be named ITA Scholar Athletes. "It is an impressive achievement to make the ITA Scholar Athlete list while competing in a varsity sport with two seasons at a school as academically rigorous as Allegheny College," said head coach Jared Luteran. In order to earn such distinction, an athlete must letter in his or her sport, have a grade point average of at least 3.50, and must have been enrolled in their present school for at least two semesters. To view the complete list of men's ITA Scholar Athletes, click here.To view the complete list of women's ITA Scholar Athletes, click here.

Greg Kreitzer Joins Allegheny Staff

2011-08-18T11:20:00.003-04:00

8/18/2011 10:26:00 AM
MEADVILLE, Pa - Greg Kreitzer was announced Thursday as the new Allegheny assistant tennis coach by Head Coach Jared Luteran. Kreitzer is beginning his first coaching stint after graduating from Hamilton College in May.
A two-time captain for the Hamilton tennis team, Kreitzer competed in the NESCAC (New England Small College Athletic Conference), one of the toughest conferences in the country. In 2010-11, Kreitzer was selected as part of both the NESCAC All-Academic and All-Sportsmanship teams, as well as being selected an ITA Scholar Athlete. In addition, Kreitzer was also a two-time recipient of the Hamilton Scholar Athlete Award, given to an athlete who has worked to excel in the classroom while contributing significantly to the Hamilton Athletics Program.
“We are very excited with the addition of Coach Kreitzer to the Gator Tennis family,” said Luteran. “His background, having played in the NESCAC for four years, one of the toughest tennis conferences in the country makes him well prepared for the competition in the NCAC.”
In addition to his success on the court, Kreitzer has also been a role model off it, leading his team in numerous off-court events such as Race for the Cure and Relay for Life. He has also served the last five summers as a Camp Counselor and Unit Head at Camp Seneca Lake, located in Penn Yan, N.Y.
Kreitzer earned a Bachelors of Arts degree from Hamilton College, with concentrations in Economics and Communications.

Recruiting at Donovan Showcase 2011

2011-07-13T08:35:00.005-04:00

It was a fantastic week of recruiting at the Donovan Showcase last week in New Haven, CT. There were 160 high school boys and girls from all over the world. Other than a brief 5 minute rain shower, the weather was beautiful and there was some great tennis being played on the Yale courts. Tim Donovan always does a stellar job running the showcase and I look forward to being back next year!

~Coach Luteran

Pat Cole Caps Rookie Season With Regional Ranking

2011-06-30T21:58:00.004-04:00

6/30/2011 11:00:22 AM
2010-11 Campbell/ITA Central Region Rankings

MEADVILLE, Pa. – Adding to a list of outstanding accomplishments, rising tennis star Patrick Cole is listed in the final 2010-11 Campbell/ITA Regional College men's tennis rankings, ranking No. 22 in the Central Region as announced by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association. The recently-crowned NCAC Newcomer of the Year, Cole's awards-filled rookie campaign marked the most decorated freshman season in program history.

"I just can't say enough good things about Pat.,” remarked head coach Jared Luteran. “He deserves every accolade that he receives and we couldn't ask for a better person to represent what Allegheny tennis is all about."

Cole finished the year with an 18-4 record in singles play en route to NCAC First Team All-Conference honors. He became just the third player in team history to earn first team plaudits from the league, while also netting All-Conference accolades in doubles the same year. A two-time NCAC Player of the Week selection, Cole finished the slate three wins shy of the Gators' single-season record.

2011 Seniors Graduate

2011-05-14T23:43:00.001-04:00

May 14, 2011

Senior tennis players Nick Darrow, Margaret Hodgkiss-Lilly, Lauren Kristofco, and Sara Longo graduated on Saturday with the rest of the class of 2011 in the Wise Center. Congrats seniors and good luck!!!

Five Women's Tennis Players Net All-NCAC Honors

2011-05-11T13:31:00.003-04:00

5/10/2011

Conference Release

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Posting the highest single-season winning percentage (.591) since the 2001-02 season, the Allegheny women's tennis team enjoyed an eight-win turnaround from a year ago, a third-place finish in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) for the first time since the 1998-99 season, and earned their first regional ranking under head coach Jared Luteran. In light of the successful year, a program-first came out of the selection of All-NCAC teams as five women's tennis players earned All-NCAC recognition.

Three players, headlined by rookie Carolyn Shetter, were named to All-NCAC teams as singles players, while a pair of doubles teams garnered All-NCAC selections, including first-time doubles recipients Deborah Landau and Elyse Schmitt.

Shetter, who played at flight one singles throughout the entire fall and spring seasons, was selected to the All-NCAC First Team, and becomes the sixth women's tennis player to make the First Team. On the year, Shetter finished 12-10 in singles play with a 10-10 mark in dual matches, and was a perfect 2-0 in tournament play.

Senior Lauren Kristofco earned her fourth All-NCAC honor as a singles player, making her the first four-time All-NCAC singles performer in Allegheny women's tennis history. This year, Kristofco was named to the All-NCAC Second Team after finishing 5-7 in flight two singles play, and was 2-3 in conference play as well.

Rounding out singles honors is senior Sara Longo. Longo makes her second consecutive All-NCAC Honorable Mention Team after playing most of the year at flight three singles, and posting an overall record of 11-11. In her time at flight three singles, Longo compiled a record of 8-6, and ended the season on a four-match winning streak.

For the third time in the past four years, Kristofco and Longo earn all-conference recognition as a doubles paring. In 07-08, and 08-09, the pair landed on the All-NCAC Doubles Second Team. This season, the final one at Allegheny for both, they were named to the All-NCAC Doubles First Team. Paired up the entire spring season at flight one doubles, Kristofco and Longo tallied a doubles record of 11-5 overall, and were 4-2 in conference play.

Landau and Schmitt were named to the All-NCAC Doubles Second Team for the first time as a pairing after they competed across flights two and three in doubles play this season, and put together an impressive 10-3 overall mark. Like Kristofco and Longo, Landau and Schmitt were 4-2 in conference play.

Rookie Patrick Cole Named NCAC Men's Tennis Newcomer of the Year; Headlines Trio of All-NCAC Honorees

2011-05-11T13:30:00.002-04:00

5/10/2011

Conference Release

CLEVLAND, Ohio – Allegheny rookie men's tennis player Patrick Cole turned in one of the best single-season efforts in team history, and his banner first-year was rewarded in a major way by the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) as he became the first Allegheny player, male or female, to also be named the NCAC Newcomer of the Year, and in the process was also named to the All-NCAC First Team. It is the fourth consecutive year that a Gator has made the First Team.

Cole, who assumed the role of the flight one singles player in the spring, came on with an absolute fury, going 10-2 in dual match flight one singles play. Coupled with his 4-1 singles record from the fall when he competed in flight four, Cole ended his rookie campaign with an impressive total record (including tournament play) of 18-4. His 18 wins as a singles competitor are three shy of the single-season record for wins. During the course of the spring, the Livonia, Mich. native also became the first player, male or female, to be named NCAC Player of the Week; he did so twice.

Earning All-NCAC Honorable Mention recognition were senior Jacob Allmaras and sophomore Mike Provenzano. For Allmaras, a senior captain, it is the first all-conference honor in his career as he set a career-high with 12 singles wins across flights two, three, and five.

An All-NCAC Honorable Mention selection a year ago as a rookie, Provenzano lands on the Honorable Mention Team for the second consecutive season. Playing at flight two singles this spring, Provenzano notched a 6-5 overall record, and was 2-1 in conference play.

Allmaras and Cole also hauled in All-NCAC Second Team honors in doubles play. The duo competed in flight one doubles and came away with an 8-5 record, including a 2-1 mark in conference play.

Women's Tennis Outlasts Oberlin for Third-Place in Epic Duel of NCAC Tournament

2011-05-02T11:31:00.002-04:00

5/2/2011

Box Scores: Denison -- Oberlin

OBERLIN, Ohio – For the first time since the 1998-99 season, the Allegheny women's tennis team earned a third-place finish at the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) Tournament. A victory in their opening match against Wittenberg University on Saturday ensured that the Gators (13-9, 2-4 NCAC) would finish in the top-four for the fourth consecutive year. On Sunday, the Gators dropped their first match of the day to nationally-ranked Denison University, 5-0, placing them in the third-place match against a familiar foe in Oberlin College for the fourth consecutive year as well.

The match against Oberlin for third-place in the conference began just after 5:00 p.m., and it was not until nearly five full hours until the match was decided.

Playing doubles on outdoor courts, the Gators jumped out to a big lead through the opening doubles play as they swept all three matches. Needing just two wins out of the remaining six singles matches, rain forced the completion of the match to be moved indoors.

The change of venue for singles play would be when Oberlin would make their run as they rattled off four straight-sets wins to eventually knot the match at four-all, and set up the thrilling decisive match.

Prior to the final match, at flight three singles, Sara Longo notched one of the two victories the Gators needed to clinch the match. Longo's win was a complete role reversal after she lost in straight sets, 6-0, 6-1, to the same opponent, Preeya Shah, a little over a week ago. This time, Longo endured a tough set one loss that had to be decided in a tie-breaker, 6-7 (11-13), but rallied to take the second and third sets with relative ease, 6-2, 6-0 for the win.

Charged with the enormity of the situation, and having to battle the home-court advantage in favor of Oberlin, the fate of the match would come down to junior Elyse Schmitt at flight five singles. Despite it all, Schmitt was not rattled by the situation from the outset. She took a closely contested first set 6-4, but fell in the possible close-out second set 1-6, pushing not only the singles match, but the entire team match to the brink.

In that decisive third set, Schmitt found herself down at one point 5-3, and in danger of losing the match. Determined not to let that happen, Schmitt upped her level of play, roaring back in the third set to take the next four games to win the third set, 7-5, and clinch the match for the Gators.

The win itself, but particularly against Oberlin, is a monumental one in the growth of the up and coming women's tennis program. This year alone, they have had an eight-win turnaround from a year ago, and for the first time in the past three years, the Gators came out on top of Oberlin in the NCAC Tournament.

Solid Start to NCAC Tournament for Women's Tennis

2011-04-30T12:35:00.000-04:00

4/30/2011

Box Score

OBERLIN, Ohio – Saturday afternoon marked the first day of the 2011 NCAC Women's Tennis Tournament held at Oberlin College, and the Allegheny women's tennis team got off to a great start with a 5-1 win over Wittenberg University, ensuring themselves a finish in the top-four of the conference by tournament's end.

The win for the Gators (12-8, 2-4 NCAC) avenged a close late-season loss to the hands of the Tigers (18-6, 3-3 NCAC).

To start the match, the Gators got out to a quick 2-0 lead as they picked up consecutive wins at flights three and one doubles. A closely contested flight two doubles finish would go the way of the Tigers for their first point of the match.

The Gators wasted no time in taking total control of the match, and eventually putting it away, once singles play got under way. Sara Longo made quick work of her opponent at flight three, 6-0, 6-2. Janna Dickerson followed Longo's win with one of her own at flight six, 6-3, 6-2, and put the Gators to within a point to seal the match.

With three other singles matches still being played on court, Deborah Landau clinched the match with her win at flight four, 6-1, 6-4. All three of the Gators singles wins came in straight sets, showing a display of dominance. Further proof of the dominant effort was, at the time of Landau's clincher, the remaining three matches on court had Allegheny players out in front of their respective matches.

The Gators will now have a chance to play their way into the conference finals as they are slated to take on the #1 seed Denison University on Sunday, May 1st. That match is set to begin at 11:00 a.m.

Men's Tennis Ends 2011NCAC Tournament with Fourth-Place Finish

2011-04-30T12:30:00.000-04:00

4/30/2011

Box Score

OBERLIN, Ohio – After winning their opening round match a day ago at the 2011 NCAC Tournament against Wittenberg, and losing to Denison a few hours later, the Gators (12-6, 2-1 NCAC East) entered the final day of the tournament matched up against Wabash College to determine who would earn a third-place finish in the tournament. The two teams battled one another closely, particularly in singles play, but Wabash was able to capitalize on an early 3-0 lead though doubles play to take the decision, 5-3, with one match remaining on court.

The Little Giants (18-10, 2-1 NCAC East) were very impressive to start the match as they were able to sweep the three doubles matches with relative ease, pacing them to the big early lead. After taking the first singles decision at flight five, the Little Giants jumped to within a point of taking the match, 4-0.

The Gators, however, showed a lot of resolve, and battled back strong as they rattled off three consecutive singles wins at flights one, four, and six. The first two winning matches for the Gators came in dominating fashion as Patrick Cole at flight one, and Charlie Murphy at flight four, won their respective matches in straight sets. Cole, the reigning NCAC Player of the Week dropped only one game in his singles match.

With the team match at 4-3 in favor of Wabash, the remaining two matches, flights two and three, came down to the wire. Unfortunately for the Gators, Jacob Allmaras' impressive, in-progress match at flight three singles went unfinished as Mike Provenzano's match at flight two reached a decision in favor of the Little Giants, giving them the match-clinching point, and putting a halt to the team match.

The loss ends the Gators season with a fourth-place finish in the NCAC Tournament.

Men's Tennis Positions Themselves in Top of NCAC; Luteran Notches Milestone Win

2011-04-29T12:32:00.000-04:00

4/29/2011

Box Scores: Wittenberg -- Denison

OBERLIN, Ohio – Day one of the North Coast Athletic Conference Tournament produced mixed results for the Allegheny men's tennis team as they came away with head coach, Jared Luteran's 200th career victory in a 5-3 win over Wittenberg in their first match, but were unable to record a decision against Denison in the nightcap on Friday at Oberlin College, the host of the NCAC Tournament. The win, however, in their first match, ensured the Gators (12-5, 2-1 NCAC East) would finish in the top-four of the conference by tournament's end.

The first match of the day for the Gators against Wittenberg was a thrilling match that was not decided until the tail end of the match. With wins at flights one and three doubles, the Gators took a 2-1 lead heading into singles play. Given the tournament atmosphere, the match was played to decision, so the Gators needed three singles wins out of the six potential matches to record the win.

The Tigers would make the match interesting picking up wins in flights three and four to keep themselves within a reasonable distance to try and take away the win and advance in the upper portion of the tournament bracket.

A dominating win by Patrick Cole at flight one , and a big win at flight five by Max Sosa, 6-3, 6-2, put the Gators ahead in the match 4-2 with two matches remaining on court. Flight two singles would be the deciding match. Playing at flight two for the Gators, sophomore Mike Provenzano, dropped a close first set 4-6, but forced a third set with a win in the second set, 6-3. In the decisive third set, Provenzano and his opponent Sergio Fishkin played each other really close, and took that set past the usual six-game decision. Provenzano would come away on top in the match, however, by winning the third set 7-5.

One match, flight six singles, was left on court at the time the Gators wrapped up the team match. The win in their opening match was huge for the Gators as it assured them a top-four finish in the conference tournament. Also noteworthy in the win was the career milestone achieved by head coach Jared Luteran, as he notched his 200th career victory as a head coach.

A 5-0 loss to the hands of Denison in their second match of the day put the Gators in the third-place match against Wabash College on Saturday, April 29th. That match is set to be played at 11:00 a.m.

Cole Serves Up NCAC Player of the Week Honors for Second Time

2011-04-26T14:58:00.003-04:00

4/26/2011

Conference Release

CLEVELAND, Ohio – For the second time this season, Allegheny men's tennis rookie Patrick Cole was named the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) Player of the Week, this time for the week-ending April 24, 2011, as it was announced by the NCAC's sports information director Bret Billhardt on Monday afternoon.

Cole gets the league's weekly honor for the second time this season after he went undefeated at flight one singles and flight one doubles over the Gators' two conference matches, both wins, against Oberlin and Wooster.

This spring, Cole has stepped into the number one role for singles and doubles play, and has strung together tremendous success at the top of the Gators' lineup going 8-2 in flight one singles play, and 7-3 in flight one doubles play. Through the fall and spring seasons, Cole has notched a 16-4 singles record and a 14-5 doubles record.

Women's Tennis Handles Wooster; Takes Wittenberg to the Brink for Conference Split

2011-04-23T14:53:00.001-04:00

4/23/2011

Box Scores: Wittenberg -- Wooster

OBERLIN, Ohio – The Allegheny women's tennis team picked up a split on Saturday afternoon in NCAC play with a nail-biting 5-4 loss to Wittenberg University, but came back in the nightcap to beat the College of Wooster 8-1. Both matches were played at the facilities of Oberlin College.

The first match of the day for the Gators (11-8, 2-4 NCAC) was against Wittenberg, and the team match would come down the final match on court, flight one singles. Coming out of doubles play, the Gators trailed in the match 2-1, but picked up a decision at flight one doubles as Lauren Kristofco and Sara Longo won their match handily, 8-1.

Two of the first three singles matches that were completed went the way of the Tigers, putting them one decision away from the team win. Back-to-back singles wins at flights four and three by Schmitt and Sara Longo knotted the match at four-all, and set up the decisive match remaining on court.

That final match on court was at flight one singles. The Gators Carolyn Shetter had dropped the first set 4-6, but came back in the second set 6-3. With the team match in the balance, Wittenberg's number one Leah Ann Miller bested Shetter in the decisive third set, 6-2, to give the team match to the Tigers.

The women would bounce back in a big way following their disappointing loss to Wittenberg, and took out their frustrations on Wooster to the tune of an 8-1 decision. The lone tally for Wooster came in flight six with the match already decided. In a rarity, the doubles and singles matches all finished in succession according to flight.

The Gators have wrapped up their conference schedule in the regular season and will turn their attention to the NCAC Tournament at the end of the following week. The tournament will be hosted by Oberlin College and is slated to start on April 29th. Before the tournament, however, the women have one more non-conference match scheduled against Grove City College on Tuesday, April 26th. The match, to be held at Grove City will start at 3:30 p.m.

Provenzano Clinches Win over Oberlin

2011-04-23T09:22:00.000-04:00

4/23/2011

Box Score

OBERLIN, Ohio – Forced indoors due to the rainy weather throughout the day, the Allegheny men's tennis team clashed with conference foe Oberlin in a four and a half hour marathon match in which the Gators (10-4, 1-1 NCAC East) bested the Yeoman (6-15, 1-2 NCAC East), 7-2 on the road.

Unlike the women's match that took place prior, the men's match was played through to completion. After falling behind in the match 2-1 through doubles play, the Gators rallied with an overwhelmingly strong showing in singles play. By match end, the Gators had taken all six singles matches.

The team match was clinched by sophomore Mike Provenzano at flight two singles. Provenzano dropped the first set 4-6, but forced a decisive third set by winning the second set 7-6. In the tie-breaking third set, Provenzano blanked his opponent for the win and, in turn, clinched the Gators victory with two matched remaining on court.

After the lengthy match against Oberlin, the men will take to the bus once again and travel a short ways to Wooster to take on the Fighting Scots in the final regular season match of the year. The match is scheduled to start at 4:00 p.m.

Women's Tennis Splits NCAC Matches

2011-04-16T14:55:00.001-04:00

4/16/2011

Box Scores: Denison Box -- Ohio Wesleyan Box

GRANVILLE, Ohio – The Allegheny women's tennis team took part in a pair of NCAC matches on Saturday afternoon, and came away with a 1-1 mark dropping their first match against nationally-ranked no. 6 Denison University 8-1, and beating Ohio Wesleyan in the nightcap by the same margin.

The Big Red (13-4, 5-0 NCAC) looked strong as they won all six singles matches in straight sets. Deborah Landau and Elyse Schmitt provided the lone blemish for the Big Red as the pair won at flight three doubles 8-5.

Not long after the match against Denison was over, the Gators got back out on the court to take on Ohio Wesleyan. With rain in the area, the OWU match, like Denison earlier in the day, was played indoors. After doubles play, however, the weather broke, and the courts dried up enough to move the match outdoors for singles play and its conclusion.

The Gators were in control against the Battling Bishops (4-7, 1-3 NCAC) from the outset sweeping all three doubles matches and taking a commanding 3-0 lead in the team match. Not much changed in singles play. Despite the dreary conditions outside, the Gators won five of the six singles matches en route to an 8-1 win.

Against the Bishops, Lauren Kristofco, Landau, and Janna Dickerson all won their singles matches in straight sets and only dropped a single game.

The Gators will wrap up their regular season on the road next weekend with three conference matches on the slate. The first match will be against Oberlin College on Friday, April 22nd starting at 4:30 p.m. The team will remain in Oberlin, Ohio for a pair of matches the following day, Saturday, April 23rd, against Wittenberg University at 10:00 a.m. and the College of Wooster at 2:30 p.m.

Women's Tennis Stuns Case Western with Thrilling Win

2011-04-13T14:47:00.003-04:00

4/13/2011

Box Score

MEADVILLE, Pa. – It would take over four hours, and come down to the final match on the courts before a winner emerged from the non-conference clash between Allegheny College and Case Western Reserve University on Wednesday afternoon inside the David V. Wise Center. As the final match on court, Janna Dickerson, at flight six singles, sent the home crowd home happy winning her singles match, 6-1, 7-5, and giving the Gators (9-5, 0-0 NCAC) the upset win over the Spartans (7-6).

Through doubles play to start the team match, the Spartans took a 2-1 lead with wins in flights one and two doubles. Elyse Schmitt and Deborah Landau, in flight three doubles, came away with an 8-4 win.

Singles play was played very close between the two teams as three of the six singles matches went to the decisive 10-point super breakers. Carrying over her momentum from the doubles win, Schmitt, at flight four singles, dropped the first set 3-6, but bounced back for the win in the second set 6-4, and overcame a 7-3 deficit in the 10-point super breaker to win it 10-8, giving the Gators the first win of singles play, and knotting the match two-all.

Back-to-back winning finishes at flights three and two pushed the Spartans back in front 4-2 and put the Gators in must-wins in the remaining matches on court. Faced with a tough test in the regionally-ranked no. 6 singles player Erika Lim, Allegheny rookie Carolyn Shetter, at flight one singles, staved off elimination for the Gators with a straight sets win, 6-4, 7-6(3). It is Shetter's first career win over a regionally-ranked opponent.

A super breaker win by Deborah Landau at flight five singles, 6-4, 6-7(1), 10-7 knotted the match four-all and set up the winner-take all scenario for the final match on court.

With the match in the balance, Dickerson had taken the first set with relative ease 6-1, but the match got very close in the second set. With Dickerson up 5-4 in the second set, and serving at 40-15 for the match, the Spartans' Evelyn Qi rallied to break Dickerson's serve to level the set at 5-5. Dickerson would answer back, breaking Qi's serve to push the match 6-5 in her favor. Dickerson would hold serve and ended the marathon match with her win in flight six singles, 6-1, 7-5.

The Gators will look to ride the momentum of their upset win into the stretch run of their schedule, with the remainder of their scheduled matches all against NCAC opponents. First up in that pivotal stretch is a meeting with Kenyon College on the road this Friday, April 12th. The match is scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m.

Kristofco/Schmitt Excelling Off the Court!

2011-04-11T18:23:00.005-04:00

Lauren Kristofco and Elyse Schmitt are not only having successful careers on the tennis court, but they are also having some unique success in their academic ventures. Lauren was recently chosen to present at the ASLO (American Society of Limnology and Oceanography) Aquatic Sciences meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico. It was an all expense paid trip to present her research that she did over the summer at the University of Rhode Island's Graduate School of Oceanography (URI GSO) under Dr. Lucie Maranda. Although it was difficult to give up the beautiful snow in Meadville for a whole week in February, Lauren made some valuable connections with several prominent educators in her field of research.

Elyse Schmitt recently competed in the Gator Innovation Challenge which was hosted by Chris Allison in the Allegheny College Economics department. The competition encouraged students to create a product and write a business plan as well as present their ideas to a panel of judges. Schmitt’s business, Unsoiled Agriculture (name will be changed), took home first place which included a $1,000 cash reward. She then competed in the Northwest PA Business plan competition held in Erie, PA on April 7th. Elyse and her partner competed against 53 other applicants and took home third place and another cash reward to be used as grant money to do more research for her company.

Gator Tennis Players Keeping Kids Healthy!

2011-04-11T18:00:00.000-04:00

Janna Dickerson gives some quality tennis instruction

That toss was right on target Kevin Snyder

Elyse Schmitt, Janna Dickerson, Kevin Snyder, and Laura Steele spent their Saturday morning helping kids get acquainted with the game of tennis at the Healthy Kids’ Day Event sponsored by the YMCA. The Gator tennis players spent four hours out in the frigid temps bringing smiles to all the kids’ faces that got a chance to volley with a Gator tennis player!

Seniors Celebrate with 9-0 Victory!

2011-04-08T17:40:00.006-04:00

Coach Luteran with the Seniors

Top: Lauren Kristofco and Sara Longo

Bottom: Nick Darrow and Jake Allmaras

It was not only Campus Kids’ Day, but it was also Senior Day for the Gator tennis match v. Thiel on Thursday, April 7th. All the seniors were honored before the match and given personalized Allegheny blankets for their loyalty to the Gator Tennis program. Below is a brief summary of each senior.

Sara Longo is a biology major and a french minor. She has a job with the Watson Institute as an aid for autistic children, but she plans to go to physician assistant school after working for a year. She is co-captain and has 28 singles wins and 37 doubles wins. Sara also has two all conference doubles awards and one all conference singles award.

Nick Darrow is an environmental science major and a psychology minor. He has a job this summer working for the Student Conservation Association in Pittsburgh. After that, he plans to pursue a career in environmental science in the Pittsburgh area. He is co-captain and has 5 singles wins and 3 doubles wins.

Jake Allmaras is an economics major and a spanish minor. He will be finishing school in the fall and plans to pursue a career in the investment banking business. He is co-captain and has 27 singles wins and 32 doubles wins.

Lauren Kristofco is a double major in biology and Spanish. She will be going to grad school for environmental toxicology to pursue a masters and plans to eventually get her PHD. She has 32 singles wins and 32 doubles wins. Lauren is a two time ITA scholar athlete, 3 time all conference award winner in singles, and 2 time all conference award winner in doubles.

Another Fun USTA /Allegheny Campus Kids’ Day!

2011-04-08T12:02:00.001-04:00

The Allegheny College tennis team hosted their annual USTA Campus Kids’ Day on Thursday, April 7^th and it was another great success. It certainly helped that it was the first beautiful day of the spring tennis season. Andy Findlay from the USTA put on a fantastic clinic for the kids after they got to be a part of the pre-match introductions and the team huddle. Chompers, the college mascot, also took part in the fun—including the pre-clinic warm up jog! All the kids in attendance got free pizza and great prizes courtesy of the USTA. The Gators topped off the day with both teams beating Thiel College 9-0.

Gators Enjoy Winning Weather on Spring Break

2011-03-30T12:13:00.019-04:00

Sunset on the beachSweet Bikes!

Dinner at the Salty Dog.

Putt, Putt!

The team enjoyed some great weather and competition for an entire week down in Hilton Head, S.C. Both teams finished the week posting a 3-1 record, with wins over Nebraska Wesleyan, Bethel College, and University of Sioux Falls.

In addition to playing some great tennis, the team also had fun on the beach, played some putt- putt mini golf, enjoyed great dinners at the Salty Dog and Japanese Steakhouse, and explored the island on their sweet bike cruisers. We also had a lot of Gator parents visiting which was great to have all of their support.

Patrick Cole Earns NCAC Player of the Week!

2011-03-29T21:43:00.000-04:00

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Allegheny men's tennis rookie Patrick Cole was named the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) Men's Tennis Player of the Week for the week ending March 27, 2011 as it was announced by the conference's sports information director Bret Billhardt on Monday afternoon.

Only in the second year that the conference has recognized a tennis player of the week, Cole is the first Allegheny tennis player, male or female, to receive the honor. Since stepping foot on campus, Cole has made an immediate impact on the men's tennis program, competing in flight one singles and doubles in all matches so far this spring .

This past week, Cole helped fuel the Gators to a 3-1 record over their spring break trip to Hilton Head Island, S.C. with three singles and doubles victories each. In his three singles wins at flight one, Cole won in straight sets. The only loss for Cole in both singles and doubles over the week came against the ITA Central Region-Ranked no. 11 Carleton College.

In his singles match against Carleton' no. 1 Peter Dunn (regionally-ranked no. 13 singles player), Cole nearly pulled the upset after dropping the first set 3-6, then forcing a 10-point super-breaker set by blanking Dunn in the second set 6-0, but fell short in the super-breaker 11-13. In doubles action against Carleton, Cole and his partner Jacob Allmaras forced a tie-breaking set after pushing the no.17 regionally-ranked doubles combo of Dan Vollman and Paul Cooper to the brink.

Tennis Leaves Hilton Head with Wins over the University of Sioux Falls

2011-03-25T12:11:00.002-04:00

3/25/2011

Men's Box Score -- Women's Box Score

HILTON HEAD, S.C. – Both the Allegheny men's and women's tennis teams ended their Hilton Head, S.C. Spring Break trip with wins over the University of Sioux Falls on Thursday morning. The Gator men (8-2) topped Sioux Falls 8-1, while the Gator women (7-4) won 7-2. The wins for each program gave them a positive 3-1 win-loss record over spring break.

Both matches began with the traditional doubles-first format, and each team swept the doubles matches to take a 3-0 lead heading into singles play.

On the women's side, senior Sara Longo had the match-clinching win as she won at no. three singles with a clean sweep in straight sets, 6-0, 6-0. Classmate Deborah Landau also turned in a clean sheet with a straight sets, 6-0, 6-0 win at no. six singles. Lauren Kristofco was on pace to possibly not drop a game when her opponent was forced to retire in the first set at 3-0 in favor of Kristofco with an injury, giving Kristofco the win.

For the men, sophomore Mike Provenzano clinched the team win with his victory at no. two singles, 6-0, 6-3. As a team, the men were only defeated in one singles match. It is the fifth time this season that the men have won a team match in which they won at least eight singles/doubles matches.

Each team heads back north with a couple of home matches scheduled for the next week. Weather permitting; March 29th will be the spring home opener for each against Mount Union University. The matches are scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m.

Tennis Sweeps Bethel College with Strong Singles Play

2011-03-22T12:09:00.001-04:00

3/22/2011

HILTON HEAD, S.C. – On Tuesday morning, the Allegheny men's and women's tennis teams lost only one singles match between the two powering each to team wins against Bethel College. The men won 7-2, while the women nearly earned a clean sweep with an 8-1 win.

The Gator men (7-2) began their team match with doubles action and came out of the three matches with a 2-1 lead. The doubles duos of Patrick Cole/Jacob Allmaras, and Charlie Murphy/Frank Mosconi accounted for the two wins. With the slight edge heading into singles play, the men turned it on losing just one match and only three sets all together. Cole was dominate in flight one as he only dropped one game winning his match, 6-1, 6-0. In flights five and six, Max Sosa, and Frank Mosconi each won their matches 6-1, 6-1.

On the women's side, they began their team match with singles play and earned the team win as the Gator women (6-4) swept all six singles matches in convincing fashion, dropping only one set in the process. Lauren Kristofco had the most dominant stat line as she won her flight two match in straight sets 6-1, 6-2. The lone team blemish came in doubles play as Bethel fought off the threat of a clean sweep notching a win in flight two doubles. The doubles pairing of Elyse Schmitt and Deb Landau found themselves down 5-2 in flight three doubles, but stormed back to win six straight games for the win 8-5.

Both teams will enjoy an off day on Wednesday and then ramp it back up on Thursday morning for their final match of their spring break trip against the University of Sioux Falls.

Allegheny Tennis Starts Spring Break Trip with Wins

2011-03-20T12:05:00.003-04:00

3/20/2011

HILTON HEAD, S.C. – The Allegheny men's and women's tennis teams headed south for their spring break and landed in a familiar destination, Hilton Head, South Carolina., to play four matches over the next five days. First up on the slate of matches for both teams was NAIA-affiliated Nebraska Wesleyan. The Gator men (6-1) were able to edge the Prairie Wolves 5-4, while the Gator women (5-3) took their match 6-3.Both matches were played simultaneously across nine courts.

The men kicked off their match with the traditional three doubles matches, and came away with two match wins. The duos of Pat Cole/Jacob Allmaras and Frank Mosconi/Charlie Murphy had the wins as Cole/Allmaras took down Jamie Holmes and Nate Hoppe, 8-4, and Mosconi/Murphy defeated Ryan McCarty and Seth Shimerda, 8-2, to give the Gators a 2-1 advantage heading into singles play.

In singles play, the men were able to nail down the three match wins to record the team win. Singles winners included Cole in flight one (6-4, 6-1), Murphy in flight four (6-3, 6-4), and Mosconi (6-4, 6-3). Mosconi was first to pick up a win, followed by Cole, and Murphy picked up the clinching win.

On the women's side, they began their match with singles play first. The Gators were able to nearly clinch the match in singles play as they picked up four wins. Among the winners were Carolyn Shetter in flight one (3-6, 6-1, 10-8), Sara Longo in flight three (6-3, 6-0), Elyse Schmitt in flight four (6-4, 7-5), and Deb Landau in flight six (6-0, 6-4).

With a 4-2 advantage heading into double's play, the Gators needed to win one of the three doubles matches to clinch the team win. The duos of Lauren Kristofco/Longo, and Janna Dickerson/Shetter picked up wins. Kristofco/Longo had the match-clinching win for the fifth point.

Both the men and women return to action tomorrow with matches against the men's and women's teams of Carlton College. Each match is scheduled to start at 12:00 p.m.

Women's Tennis Blanks Penn State Behrend, 9-0

2011-02-28T11:52:00.002-05:00

2/27/2011 12:08:01 PM

Box Score

ERIE, Pa. – In their first match of the spring season, the Allegheny women's tennis team picked up a huge non-conference win over Penn State Behrend, 9-0, on Saturday afternoon at the Westwood Racquet Club in Erie, Pa. For the Gators (4-3), it is their second consecutive dual match, dating back to the fall season, in which they earned a clean sweep of their opponent.

The win over the Lions could very well be a catalyst of success for the Gators moving forward in the spring. The Lions are the defending Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) champions for the past six years, and last year, they received an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament

All six singles matches were won by straight sets by the Gators. Rookie Laura Steele made her collegiate debut in a dual match format. She picked up a straight sets win in flight six, 6-0, 6-2.

Men's Tennis Sweeps Away Penn State Behrend, 9-0

2011-02-28T11:45:00.003-05:00

2/27/2011

Box Score

ERIE, Pa. – The men's tennis team kick-started their spring season of competition with a bang taking all nine matches from Penn State Behrend on Saturday afternoon at the indoor tennis facilities of the Westwood Racquet Club in Erie, Pa.

The non-conference win is significant given that the Lions are the defending conference champions for the last three years in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC), and it also keeps the momentum started by the Gators (5-1) from their strong fall season as they went 4-1 earlier in the 2010-11 season.

Singles play was impressive for the men with four matches being won in straight sets and three of those without dropping a single game. Sophomore Max Sosa made his collegiate debut in a dual match format playing in flight six and knocked off Behrend's John Michalko in straight sets, 6-0, 6-1. Rookie Charlie Murphy also made his collegiate debut as a Gator and won his flight four singles match 6-0, 6-0 and paired with freshman Frank Mosconi took the flight three doubles match 8-4.

Doubles action saw the flight one pairing of rookie Patrick Cole and senior Jacob Allmaras battle back from a 3 games to none hole and come away with an 8-5 win over the no. one pairing of the Lions, Elliot Blackstone and Chris Galvin.

Gator Tennis Wins All-Athlete Talent Show!!!

2011-02-19T15:45:00.009-05:00

A performance for the ages.

The most talented team!

Coach Luteran and son Lucas rocking out.

February 17, 2011

The Gator Tennis team took home the championship at the 2011 All-Athlete Talent Show. Their performance titled, "The Evolution of Dance", can be seen in its entirety in the video above.

All members of the team participated. Each was responsible for choreographing and learning their piece of the performance. Even though all this was put together and practiced by the players of the team, Coach Luteran, his son Lucas, and Coach Riskie all made special guest appearances.

Practice is in Full Swing

2011-02-16T11:33:00.003-05:00

The spring season has started! The Gators have taken to the courts, weight room, and pool in an effort to be quicker, faster, better, stronger than the competition.

Rigorous off court strength, plyometric, and pool workouts, along with on court practices will leave us feeling confident when matches start. Our goals are set and we are determined to push our limits to maximize performance when we are competing.

Nutritionist Talks to Team

2011-01-26T12:04:00.004-05:00

Ms. Bonci addresses the team in the campus center.

The Allegheny College athletic department hosted Leslie J. Bonci on January 24 and 25 to talk to all the athletic teams about the importance of nutrition for maximizing athletic performance.

Ms. Bonci is director of sports nutrition at the UPMC Center for Sports Medicine and a nutrition consultant to countless organizations in Pittsburgh and nationwide including the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Pirates, Milwaukee Brewers, National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and numerous high schools and universities.

She talked to the tennis team and emphasized the timing of food and fluid intake before, during, and after athletic activity in order to maintain high levels of energy throughout the season and enhance post workout recovery.

Team Plays Football in the Snow

2010-12-09T11:20:00.004-05:00

A group of Gator tennis players celebrated the last day of classes Wednesday and faced off against each other in a game of football. Weather conditions made the game a challenge as snow falling accumulated on the 2 feet plus that already lay on the ground. Footballs were not the only thing being thrown around as the occasional snowball found its target. Following the game the team enjoyed a nice cup of hot chocolate to warm back up.

Allegheny Players Take Advantage of PTR on Campus

2010-12-08T11:01:00.004-05:00

The Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) on Campus program came to Allegheny College this past weekend. The program consisted of a two day certification program that covered the fundamentals of tennis instruction. Several Allegheny tennis players took advantage of the program as well as members from the community.

Head Coach Jared Luteran Honored for Community Service

2010-12-02T16:12:00.001-05:00

12/2/2010 2:24:14 PM

MEADVILLE, Pa. – Allegheny College men’s and women’s head tennis coach Jared Luteran was named the middle states sectional winner of the 2010 United States Tennis Association (USTA)/Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Campus and Community Outreach Award as it was announced by the USTA/ITA.

Luteran was among 12 sectional winners spanning the continental United States and Hawaii representing NCAA Divisions I,II,III and NAIA tennis programs. The award is given to coaches that demonstrate a leadership role in promoting, organizing or participating in campus and community tennis programming that encourages tennis participation and the support of various USTA sanctioned programs.

In 2010, Luteran and his tennis programs have put in over 500 hours of community service. In that time, they have participated in projects such as the Second Harvest Food Drive, the Up Till Dawn benefit for St. Jude's Hospital, and have volunteered time at the Meadville Children’s Center.

They also are involved with several annual events such as Make A Difference Day and Campus Kids Day. For their Make A Difference Day in 2010, the men’s and women’s teams cleaned up the Lincoln Avenue Park. On Campus Kids Day, they invite kids from the community to attend one of their spring home matches, be a part of the player introductions and team huddle prior to the match.

The ITA serves as the governing body of tennis at the collegiate level while the USTA serves as the governing body for tennis in the United States.

Coach Riskie's Whirlwind Recruiting Tour 2010

2010-11-13T10:04:00.005-05:00

Coach Riskie has hit the road with the goal of meeting some of the best tennis players the east coast has to offer. Last week he was in Hershey, PA for the Pennsylvania girls' tennis championships, Philadelphia for the USTA Middle States College Showcase, and New York City for the USTA Eastern College Day. He got to watch top players from each area play and talk with potential future Gators. He wraps up his whirlwind tour on November 20, when he travels to William & Mary for the USTA Mid-Atlantic College Showcase.

PTR Workshop at Allegheny College!

2010-11-04T16:49:00.002-04:00

Hilton Head Island, SC - - Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) will be at Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania, to conduct its Teaching Essentials Workshop, ideal for tennis teachers who wish to become certified and for those who plan to teach tennis full or part time. The workshop, open to all interested parties, will be held December
4-5, 2011.

PTR is the industry leader in professional tennis teaching and continued educational development for tennis coaches. The Teaching Essentials Workshop emphasizes the fundamentals of teaching group tennis lessons, teaching biomechanically sound strokes, error detection and corrective techniques, and the logistics of organizing group drills. The 10 hour course, held primarily on court, prepares participants for the five part certification exam. The test will be administered at the conclusion of the workshop.

For more information or to register, call PTR Headquarters at 800-421-6289 or visit www.ptrtennis.org

PTR is the largest global organization of tennis teaching professionals with more than 14,000 members in 122 countries. It has the greatest percentage of multicultural and women members of any such organization. PTR is dedicated to educating, certifying and servicing tennis teachers and coaches in order to grow the game.

Gators Give Back to Community

2010-10-18T13:04:00.002-04:00

The team in front of the fire for Make A Difference Day

The Free Tennis Clinic

October 16 & 17, 2010
Meadville, PA
This past weekend the Gators dedicated themselves to giving back to the surrounding Meadville community.

Saturday was Make a Difference Day, a nationally recognized day of community service. The team piled up sticks and branches in nearby Lincoln Avenue Park, then set those piles on fire. The Gators, used to setting fires on the tennis court with their high caliber of play, were happy to clear the unwanted debris in the park.

Sunday the team held their annual Free Tennis Clinic. The event attracted kids from the community between the ages of 4 - 17. The kids got to learn technique, play games, and win some prizes.

Gators Continue Strong Play at Oberlin Invitational

2010-10-04T15:36:00.015-04:00

Day 1

10/2/2010

OBERLIN, Ohio – Due to a rain soaked day at Oberlin, day one of the men’s Oberlin Invitational had to be played indoors and matches were forced to move to 8-game pro set scoring to get all the scheduled matches in. As a team, the Gators went 16-8 overall, 8-4 in singles play and 8-4 in doubles play.

Rookies Pat Cole and Frank Mosconi and sophomore Max Sosa swept through day one competition unscathed. The doubles team of Cole and senior Alex Bonfiglio dropped only two games through their two doubles matches.

All the teams in the invitational are Division III except for Division II representative Tiffin. The Gators combined went 5-2 against Tiffin.

The second and final day of competition will be played on Sunday, October 3rd. Following the Oberlin Invitational, the Gators will take on Division I Robert Morris University to wrap up their fall season.

Day 2
10/3/2010

OBERLIN, Ohio – Rain forced play to be moved indoors for the second straight day at the men’s Oberlin Invitational on Sunday. Day one was a successful day for the men’s tennis team as they went 16-8 between singles and doubles play. Day two yielded even better results for the up-and-coming men’s tennis program. The Gators turned in a mark of 14-4, including an impressive 10-2 record in singles play.

Freshman Frank Mosconi and and sophomore Max Sosa came out of the invitational unbeaten in singles play, and the two also went undefeated in doubles play as they teamed up to go 3-0 in doubles during the tournament.

Highlights from the weekend!

JJ gets barricaded into the bathroom with tennis bags so when he opens the door...

...all the bags fall on him! Ha Ha

Lucas Luteran gets new tennis racket for 4th Birthday!!!

Women's Team Rewarded with Paddle Boat Cruise

2010-10-01T11:19:00.005-04:00

The women's team enjoyed a paddle boat cruise and tour of historic Conneaut Lake as a reward for being named an ITA All-Academic Team last year. Outings like this are a result of all the hard work they put in on the court and in the class room. Great job ladies!

Men Have Great Showing at ITA!

2010-09-27T21:47:00.008-04:00

The six starters on the men's team had the privilege of competing in their first ITA Regional Championships. To add to the excitement, it was held on the same courts where legends like Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras, Rod Laver, Jimmy Connors, Arthur Ashe and John McEnroe played while competing in the USTA National Championships--a 67 year old staple of tennis tradition. The boys were honored to be playing at such an historic site, but they didn't let it intimidate them as they had one of the best showings in the history of Allegheny Tennis. See the pics and videos below. To learn more about the history and tradition of the courts at Kalamazoo, click here http://ustaboys.com/tournament_history.html

The boys are all studying while waiting for their next match. This is what Div. III tennis is all about.

Here are the Kalamazoo courts, home of the USTA National Championships.

Max Hennessy gets ready to unload on a serve while playing on one of the feature courts at Stowe Stadium.

Pat Cole and Jonathan Jordan made it all the way to the finals of the Kalamazoo Doubles Tournament!

Uros hits his famous down the line forehand passing shot.

JJ and P-Cole demonstrate their quick hands that took them all the way to the finals.

Max Hennessy slams the ball out of the facility thanks to Uros Predic's perfectly placed serve.

Women's Tennis Blanks Blue Devils

2010-09-24T12:59:00.000-04:00

9/24/2010

Box Score

MEADVILLE, Pa. – Friday night saw the best performance of the Allegheny women’s tennis team as they handed the visiting Blue Devils of Fredonia State a clean sweep 9-0 at the Robertson Tennis Complex. Each match was dominated by the Gators and the team match was already decided after Sara Longo (no. 1) and Deb Landau (no. 2) finished their matches in succession and posting identical results (6-0, 6-1).

The only hiccup of the night came in Flight three as Elyse Schmitt dropped the first set 3-6, but rallied in the second set winning 6-0 and forcing the 10-point super-break in lieu of a third set. Schmitt sealed the win, 10-3, in the super-break. This is the first time this season that either tennis program has pulled off a clean sweep of an opponent.

The women head to Moon Township, Pa. October 5th to conclude their fall season as they will take on Division I, Robert Morris University.

Doubles Sweep Propels Gators to Win Over John Carroll

2010-09-22T10:54:00.001-04:00

9/21/2010

Box Score

MEADVILLE, Pa. – The Gators (2-3) jumped out to a 3-0 advantage over non-conference foe John Carroll on Tuesday night, as the women’s tennis team ran through doubles action only losing a combined nine games through the three doubles matches. The doubles sweep gave the Gators a sizable advantage heading into singles play.

Deb Landau made quick work of her opponent in no.3 singles winning 6-1, 6-0 putting the Gators within one win of clinching the team match. Sara Longo battled in her match but fell short in the second flight losing 6-4, 6-3. The clinching singles victory for the Gators came in no. 5 singles as Margaret Hodgkiss-Lilly won her match 6-4, 6-2. With the team match already decided, the Gators picked up one more singles win as Elyse Schmitt had to use a tie-breaker in the second set to earn the win, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3).

The Gators will play host to Fredonia State on Friday, September 24th at the Robertson Tennis Complex starting at 4:30 pm.

Elyse Schmitt finishes point at the net.

Allegheny Men Post Consecutive 8-1 Victories

2010-09-22T09:24:00.002-04:00

9/21/2010

Box Score
MEADVILLE, Pa. – After dropping the first match of the night, no.1 doubles, the Gators (4-1) went on a tear as they won the final eight matches and cruised to an 8-1 team win. The 8-1 team score is the second time in as many dual matches that the Gators have handled their opponent. The Gators first 8-1 output came last Tuesday at home as they dominated Division II Mercyhurst.

The dominant performance for the Gators against John Carroll was most evident in singles play. As a team, through six singles matches, the Gators collectively dropped only 11 games and posted seven 6-0 game wins. Uros Predic and Jonathon Jordan turned in perfect score sheets as each notched 6-0 wins in both sets. The tandem of Jordan and Patrick Cole turned in the dominating doubles performance going unscathed in no.3 doubles 8-0.

The men head out of town looking to remain sharp as they will participate in the ITA Tournament held in Kalamazoo, Mich. starting this Thursday.

Jonathan Jordan hits an ace and continues undefeated ways in singles.

Oberlin Invitational – Day Two

2010-09-18T10:34:00.001-04:00

9/18/2010

OBERLIN, Ohio – Carolyn Shetter and Kathleen McBride highlighted day two of the Oberlin Invitational for the women’s tennis team as they picked up singles victories to keep them undefeated through the first two days of the invitational. Both Shetter and McBride won their singles matched in straight sets.

Shetter kept her singles momentum with her into doubles action as she and her doubles partner Sara Longo dominated the paring of Jane Lent and Sarah Short of NCAC foe Denison 8-0. Margaret Hodgkiss-Lilly and Deb Landau matched Shetter and Longo picking up the only other doubles win on the day beating Kate Westenberger and Lilianna Broussalian of Denison 8-3.

Singles

Amanda Polster (KEN) def. Sara Longo (ALL) 4-6, 6-4, 6-2

Carolyn Shetter (ALL) def. Kara Richardson (CW) 6-3, 6-3

Kathleen Evers (KEN) def. Cortney O’Brien (ALL) 6-3, 6-1

Bianca Patel (CW) def. Margaret Hodgkiss-Lilly (ALL) 6-4, 6-2

Preeya Shah (OB) def. Deb Landau (ALL) 2-6, 6-3, 7-6(9-7)

Kathleen McBride (ALL) def. Taylor Cooper (TIFF) 6-3, 6-2

Katy Marshall (BW) def. Amy Ochsenreiter (ALL) 6-2, 6-1

Emily Kiourtsis (OWU) def. Elyse Scmitt (ALL) 6-2, 6-2

Doubles

Melaika Bora Messi/Emily Egan-Moriis (TIFF) def. Carolyn Shetter/Sara Longo (ALL) 8-3

Carolyn Shetter/Sara Longo (ALL) def. Jane Lent/Sarah Short (DEN) 8-0

Elizabeth Emhardt/Caroline Margraf (DEN) def. Margaret Hodgkiss-Lilly/Deb Landau (ALL) 8-5

Margaret Hodgkiss-Lilly/Deb Landau (ALL) def. Kate Westenberger/Lilianna Broussalian (DEN) 8-3

Becky Simon/Wodenshek (OWU) def. Cortney O'Brien/Amy Ochsenreiter (ALL) 8-6

Kristi Gales/Kelsi Wurm (ONU) def. Cortney O'Brien/Amy Ochsenreiter (ALL) 8-2

Emily Pelosi/Jenny Greene (BW) def. Elyse Schmitt/ Kathleen McBride (ALL) 8-6

Kathleen Evers/Theresa Smetona (CW) def. Elyse Schmitt/Kathleen McBride (ALL) 9-7

Kathleen McBride wins a point at the net.

Women's Tennis Sweep Singles in Oberlin Invitational

2010-09-17T10:32:00.004-04:00

9/18/2010

Oberlin, Oh. – The Allegheny women’s tennis team enjoyed a great day one to the Oberlin Invitational Friday night ending the opening day of competition unscathed in singles play. All eight of the singles matches ended in wins for the Gators. Cortney O’Brien, Amy Ochsenreiter, Margaret Hodgkiss-Lilly, and Sara Longo won in straight sets. Kathleen McBride had the comeback of the night rallying from being down 5-1 in the second set and forced a tiebreaker in that set to seal the win.

Longo, Shetter, Hodgkiss-Lilly, and Landau were undefeated in singles and doubles on the day. The woman’s tennis team is back in action on Saturday in day two of the Oberlin Invitational.

Singles

Carolyn Shetter (ALL) def. Lilianna Broussalian (DEN) 4-6, 6-1, 6-0

Cortney O'Brien (ALL) def. Morgan Baker (BW) 6-1, 6-0

Amy Ochsenreiter (ALL) def. Jenny Provost (ONU) 6-4, 6-2

Margaret Hodgkiss-Lilly (ALL) def. Kathleen Evers (Case Western) 6-4, 6-1

Elyse Schmitt (ALL) def. Lauren Rife (ONU) 6-2, 4-6, 6-1

Sara Longo (ALL) def. Preeya Shah (OB) 6-4, 6-3

Deb Landau (ALL) def. Emily Pelosi (BW) 4-6, 6-3, 7-5

Kathleen McBride (ALL) def. Julie Christensen (OB) 7-5, 7-6 (7-5)

Doubles

Margaret Hodgkiss-Lilly/Deb Landau (ALL) def. Emily Kiourtsis/Pam Quigney (OWU) 9-8 (8-6)

Christie Gales/Kelsi Wurm (ONU) def. Elyse Schmitt/ Amy Ochsenreiter (ALL) 9-7

Kathleen Evers/Bianca Patel (Case Western) def. Kathleen McBride/ Cortney O'Brien (ALL) 8-0

Sara Longo/Carolyn Shetter (ALL) def. Kate Westenberger/Lilianna Broussalian (DEN) 8-2

Carolyn Shetter with a nice fist pump!

Gators Roll Lakers

2010-09-15T08:59:00.007-04:00

9/14/2010
MEADVILLE, Pa. – The Allegheny Men’s tennis team took to the lights and picked up an impressive win over Division-II Mercyhurst College on Tuesday. The lone blemish on the evening for the Gators came in a loss in no. 1 doubles as the Gators nearly pulled off the sweep winning the dual match 8-1.

The wins did not come easy for the Gators as a couple of players were down in their singles matches before making incredible comebacks to secure the wins. No. 1 singles competitor Alex Bonfiglio dropped the first set 3-6 then found himself down 9-5 in a 10-point tiebreaker, and then proceeded to rattle off six straight points for the 11-9 victory. Pat Cole came back from a 7-2 disadvantage in a 10-point tiebreaker but rallied for eight straight points to win the match in the fourth flight. Jonathon Jordan handled his match 6-1, 6-1 to remain undefeated in the fall for the Gators competition in flight six.

Alex Bonfiglio puts an overhead away.

Allegheny Challenges D-II IUP in Championship Match

2010-09-11T14:40:00.002-04:00

MEADVILLE, Pa. – The Gators blew past their opening round opponent NAIA representative Walsh University, 8-1 on Saturday to advance to the championship match of the 7th Annual Nancy J. Heath Gator Invitational. The Gators only dropped one matchup as Walsh’s Allison St. George knocked off Elyse Schmitt (3-6, 6-2, 10-8) in No. 3 singles. The lone blemish in round one set up a meeting with D-II Indiana University of Pennsylvania, who was regionally ranked 8th at the end of year last spring in the Atlantic Region.

The Crimson Hawks held strong in singles competition suffering one defeat as Deb Landau defeated IUP’s Ranvita Mahto (6-4, 6-3). The brightest spot of the tournament came in doubles action as the Gators No.1 doubles duo of Carolyn Shetter and Sara Longo bested the No. 1 pairing of Katie Eaton and Ranvita Mahto (8-6). IUP worked around the two defeats to earn the team victory over the Gators (7-2) and take the tournament championship in the process.

Gators Reach Championship; No. 8 Carnegie Mellon Takes Crown

2010-09-11T14:33:00.001-04:00

9/11/2010

MEADVILLE, Pa. – The Robertson Tennis Complex played host to the 7th Annual Nancy J. Heath Gator Invitational on Saturday. The Gators pushed passed NAIA competitor Walsh University in the first match of the tournament 6-3. After losing the No.1 singles match, the Gators rallied to sweep the No. 2-6 singles matches and picked up a No.2 doubles win to secure the team win and advance them to the championship match against No. 8 Carnegie Mellon.

The Tartans garnered the national ranking from a year ago and proved to be too much for the Gators in the championship match taking the team win 7-2. The Gators were able to salvage the singles matchups picking up a win in the No. 6 singles as Jonathan Jordan took down Mason Radford (6-2, 6-4). The Blue and Gold were also able to avoid a sweep in doubles action as the duo of Max Hennessy and Uros Predic knocked off the Tartans No.1 doubles team of McTaggart and Alex Nemerov. Nemerov, ended last spring ranked 31st as a singles competitor in Division III.

Coach Luteran's Blue Team took Gold in Annual Blue/Gold Scrimmage

2010-09-09T14:52:00.000-04:00

Where's the flood Coach Riskie?

The Allegheny Tennis Blue/Gold Scrimmage is an annual inter-squad scrimmage. Coach Luteran led his Blue team over Coach Riskie's Gold team with an 11-9 decision. The losing Coach has to wear a ridiculous outfit at the very next practice and this year's outfit did not disappoint the ridiculous meter.

Allegheny Upends Grove City, 8-1

2010-09-08T14:49:00.002-04:00

9/8/2010
MEADVILLE, Pa. – Despite conceding the top singles spot, the Gators opened the 2010 campaign with a tremendous victory by dispatching reigning Presidents Athletic Conference champion, Grove City College, 8-1, on Wednesday at Robertson Athletic Complex. Allegheny jumped out to a 3-0 lead after sweeping doubles and cruised to its third straight victory over the regionally-strong Wolverines. Max Hennessy, Uros Predic, Jake Allamaras, and Jonathan Jordan secured victories in both singles and doubles on the day.

Annual Fall Team Retreat

2010-09-06T17:12:00.006-04:00

Freshman Ryan Pearson does a pro tennis player impression.

The women's team discusses the upcoming season.

The men's team talks about their goals.

The Annual Fall Team Retreat is a team building experience that focuses on creating team unity. Captains, players, and coaches participate in team building activities that help create team chemistry amongst new and returning players. Team policies and goal setting are also covered during the retreat. This year's retreat started in the Campus Center, then moved to Coach Luteran's house for dinner and a wrap up.

Team Does Fun Run at Woodcock Dam

2010-09-06T16:10:00.003-04:00

With slick conditions on the tennis courts this past Saturday morning, the team strapped on their running shoes and completed a timed mile at nearby Woodcock Dam. Afterward, they enjoyed a nice breakfast at The Artist's Cup in downtown Meadville.

Scavenger Hunt at the Crawford County Fair

2010-08-30T15:19:00.006-04:00

The team took a break from try outs on Saturday to participate in a scavenger hunt at the Crawford County Fair. Coach Luteran broke the team into 6 groups mixing freshman and newcomers with returning players. Each team was given the mission to find a list of items scattered throughout the fair within a 30 minute time limit. All members of the group that won received a free Allegheny Tennis prize. It was a great time as always at the fair!

Coach Luteran lays out the ground rules and starts the clock!

Women's Tennis Nets ITA All-Academic Honors three honorees

2010-08-10T14:23:00.003-04:00

MEADVILLE, Pa. – The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) recognized Allegheny College as one of its ITA All-Academic teams for Division III women’s tennis for the 2009-10 academic year. In addition to the overall team academic award, three Gators were named ITA Scholar-Athletes.

Seniors Margaret Hodgkiss-Lillyand Lauren Kristofco, and junior Janna Dickerson took home individual honors for the Gators. For Dickerson and Kristofco, this is their second consecutive nod as ITA Scholar-Athletes.

"I am very proud of our women's team for this achievement and especially Lauren, Margaret, and Janna for their Scholar-Athlete awards,” said head coach Jared Luteran. “With a school as academically challenging as Allegheny, it is always impressive when our student-athletes can show this kind of success in the classroom while playing a varsity sport like tennis with two seasons."

The ITA All-Academic team award is given to any ITA program that has a cumulative team grade point average of 3.20 or above (on a 4.00 scale). In order to make the ITA Scholar-Athlete team, a player must be a varsity letterwinner, have a grade point average of at least 3.50 (on a 4.00 scale), and have been enrolled at their present school for at least two semesters.

Recruiting at Girls' Midwest Open Championship

2010-07-29T12:50:00.003-04:00

I just got back from Columbus, Indiana where I was recruiting at the Girls' 18 Midwest Open Championship. The picture above is taken from the Columbus visitor's website. Columbus is known for its architecture. Anyway, I saw some fantastic athletes and some really good matches. It was great to talk to so many parents and players and we hope to see you on campus soon for a visit!

~Coach Luteran

Recruiting Trip in Columbus Ohio

2010-06-02T11:00:00.013-04:00

Stickney Tennis Center at The Ohio State University

Coach Riskie ventured to Columbus, Ohio May 28, to watch the elite players in the state participate in the 91st Annual Boys State Tennis Tournament. Despite the day getting off to a slow start with the weather, it was filled with a very high level of play and excitement. The rain did not deter the crowd as friends and family came out to cheer on their favorite players. All in all it was a great day for scouting future Gator Tennis players!

Our Seniors Are Now Alumni!

2010-05-17T14:39:00.005-04:00

Meggie Oravec will be getting her Masters of Art in Environmental Policy at Drexel University.

Ben Hurtuk will be working as a mortgage banker for Quicken Loans in Cleveland, OH.

Evan Gordon will be working as the Athletic Director at Camp Seneca Lake in Penn Yan, NY with future plans to attend graduate school.

Seniors Dine with Coaches

2010-05-11T18:00:00.000-04:00

Coach Luteran and Coach Riskie enjoyed a hearty meal with soon to be alumni Meggie Oravec, Evan Gordon, and Ben Hurtuk at Julian's Restaurant in downtown Meadville. Talk of future plans and past goodtimes dominated the conversation. Good luck seniors!

Kristofco Lands On All-NCAC Second Team; Longo An Honorable Mention

2010-05-11T14:54:00.000-04:00

For the third consecutive year, Allegheny juniors Lauren Kristofco and Sara Longo were honored on the All-North Coast Athletic Conference Women's Tennis Team, which was released on Thursday.Kristofco received her third consecutive singles honor -- this time as a member of the All-NCAC Second Team. The accolade is the fifth award Kristofco has received from the NCAC. In both 2008 and 2009, she was on the All-NCAC First Team for singles play and Second Team for doubles.In 2009-10, Kristofco built a 6-16 record as Allegheny's top singles player. She was 1-2 in NCAC East Division play and 6-13 at No. 1 singles.Longo was named as an All-NCAC Honorable Mention -- her first conference singles honor. She teamed with Kristofco for All-NCAC Second Team doubles accolades in 2007 and 2008. During the '09-10 season, Longo went 9-15 with a 1-2 slate in the NCAC East and a 5-11 mark at second singles. She saw time at both second and third singles.The Gators finished with a 5-16 overall record, including going 1-2 in NCAC East action. They placed fourth in the conference.

Bonfiglio Selected To All-NCAC First Team; Hennessy, Provenzano Mentioned

2010-05-11T14:50:00.002-04:00

Allegheny men's tennis player Alex Bonfiglio was named to the All-North Coast Athletic Conference First Team while teammates Max Hennessy and Mike Provenzano were honored with Honorable Mention status as announced by the league on Thursday.Bonfiglio, a junior, was the Gators' top singles player in 2009-10. He finished with an 11-10 singles record, including a 2-1 slate in NCAC East Division play and a 9-10 mark at first singles.Freshmen Hennessy and Provenzano also went 2-1 in NCAC East matches.Provenzano, who played at second and third singles, compiled a 15-9 record. He was 11-7 at second singles.Hennessy competed at third, fourth and fifth singles, seeing most of his time at third singles where he was 8-9. He finished with a 14-10 overall record.The Allegheny men had a 12-11 record during the season, finishing 2-1 in the NCAC East. They placed fourth at the conference championships.

Men's Team Helps Move Swingset

2010-05-01T14:32:00.002-04:00

When a neighbor in the Meadville Hailwood development was ready to pass his swingset on to the family next door, it was time to summon the brute strength of the men's tennis team. Without hesitation the guys showed up ready and willing to carry the huge wooden swingset down the street to make two young boys very happy! Way to go guys!

Gordon, Hurtuk Celebrate Senior Day With Gator Win

2010-04-26T15:03:00.005-04:00

4/24/2010
MEADVILLE, Pa. -- The Allegheny men's tennis team celebrated Senior Day with an 8-1 victory over Oberlin (3-20, 0-3) in North Coast Athletic Conference East Division action at the Robertson Complex on Saturday.

Due to the threat of rain, the squads began their match with singles contests. Seniors Evan Gordon and Ben Hurtuk led the Gators (11-8, 2-0) to a sweep at fifth and sixth singles, respectively, clinching the team win before doubles play even began.

Gordon outlasted Sam Towne in his match, 6-4, 4-6, 10-8, while Hurtuk bested Peder Davis, 6-1, 6-0.

Alex Bonfiglio, Mike Provenzano, Max Hennessy and Jacob Allmaras also won singles matches for the Gators.

Bonfiglio won the No. 1 match against Ben Godlove, 6-2, 6-4. At second singles, Provenzano defeated Ben Turchin, 6-2, 6-1.

Hennessy won the third singles match against Eliot Heaton, 6-4, 6-2, and Allmaras handled Joe Leffler at No. 4 singles, 6-2, 6-2.

Allegheny also won two doubles matches. Hennessy and Provenzano teamed for an 8-5 win over Davis and Heaton at second doubles. Bonfiglio and Jordon were 8-4 winners versus Leffler and Towne at No. 3.

The Gators will be back in action on Sunday when they visit NCAC East foe Kenyon for a 2 p.m. start. The match will be Allegheny's final contest before the NCAC Tournament.

Lone Senior Oravec Wins Singles Match During Loss To Oberlin

2010-04-26T15:00:00.001-04:00

4/24/2010
MEADVILLE, Pa. -- Allegheny senior Meggie Oravec won her Senior Day singles match, but the Gator women's tennis team suffered a 5-4 nail-biting loss to Oberlin in North Coast Athletic Conference East Division action on Saturday at the Robertson Complex.

In a match that began with the six singles contests, the Gators (4-13, 1-1) were behind 4-2 before heading into doubles play.

Allegheny's Margaret Hodgkiss-Lilly and Deborah Landau snagged a 9-7 win at third doubles over Rebecca Brown and Julie Christensen. At second doubles, Janna Dickerson and Elyse Schmitt bested Preeya Shah and Brie White-Dzuro, 8-3, to pull the Gators into a 4-all tie.

The Gators' No. 1 doubles team -- Lauren Kristofco and Sara Longo -- fell in an exciting match to Finley Gates and Ariel Lewis, 9-8 (7-3).

In singles play, Landau and Oravec were winners at fifth and sixth singles, respectively. Landau defeated Brown, 6-3, 7-6 (9-7), while Oravec handled Emily Thebaut, 6-3, 6-3.

Kristofoco suffered a loss to a nationally-ranked Lewis. Lewis, No. 30 in NCAA Division III and fifth in the Central Region, won the first singles match, 6-2, 6-1 for Oberlin (11-8, 2-0).

The Gators will be back in action on Sunday when they visit NCAC East foe Kenyon for a 2 p.m. start. The match will be Allegheny's final contest before the NCAC Tournament.

USTA Campus Kids Day a Success!

2010-04-23T15:05:00.001-04:00

Tennis Community,

I would like to thank everyone that helped to make the USTA Campus Kids Day a success yesterday. Our sports info staff did a great job getting our mascot out on the court and setting up the root beer float stand. Our event management staff helped get the free pizza set up and thanks to Andy Findlay from the USTA, Mark Vandewater from Gamma, and David Wahlgren from Wilson for providing some prizes to give away to the kids. Thanks to the USTA for the stipend and for the great idea! I would also like to thank the College of Wooster for their willingness to adjust their schedule and have to travel a little shorthanded due to class conflicts. The Wooster coaches and players did a great job making all the kids feel welcome. It was really neat watching the kids go out and shake hands with the players and coaches and then join the players in the team huddle. Even though we were forced to have it on a Thursday instead of Saturday (due to the weather) we still had a great turn out.

Here is a photo gallery of the day's activities.
http://www.alleghenysports.com/photo_gallery.aspx

Once you click on the link, then click on view all galleries, then click on Tennis Campus Kid's Day in the upper left corner, once you get to the pics then you can click on the white bar in the bottom left corner to scroll over to the right and see all 41 pictures.

Thanks again everyone!
Coach Luteran

AC Women Storm To 9-0 Victory Over Wooster

2010-04-23T11:09:00.003-04:00

4/22/2010

Box Score | Photo Gallery

MEADVILLE, Pa. -- The Allegheny women's tennis team snapped an eight-match losing streak and won its North Coast Athletic Conference East Division opener with a 9-0 decision against Wooster (4-13, 0-3) at the Robertson Complex on Thursday.

The Gators (4-12, 1-0) did not lose a set. Lauren Kristofco and Sara Longo led the squad with wins at first and second singles, respectively. The pair also teamed for a win at first doubles.

At first singles, Kristofco bested Elissa Lauber, 6-0, 6-3. Longo defeated Ashley Stockwell, 6-2, 6-0. As the Gators' top doubles team, Kristofco and Longo swept Lauber and Kelsey Jenkins, 8-0.

Elyse Schmitt, Janna Dickerson, Deborah Landau and Meggie Oravec added singles wins for Allegheny.

Schmitt earned a 6-3, 6-2 decision against Brenna Hart at third singles and Dickerson defeated Boo Flynn, 6-4, 6-2, at fourth singles.

At fifth singles, Landau handled Jenkins, 6-1, 6-1, while Oravec beat Lauren Grimanis, 6-3, 6-2, at sixth singles.

Allegheny also had two other wins in doubles. Dickerson and Schmitt teamed for an 8-1 win over Flynn and Stockwell in the No. 2 doubles matchup. Landau and Margaret Hodgkiss-Lilly defeated Lauren Gilliss and Suzanne Hamby, 8-1, at third doubles.

The Gators will be in action next on Saturday with a noon match against NCAC East foe Oberlin.

Gator Men Break Out Brooms For Fourth Straight Win

2010-04-23T10:58:00.004-04:00

4/22/2010

Box Score | Photo Gallery

MEADVILLE, Pa. -- The Allegheny men's tennis team claimed its fourth straight victory with a 9-0 sweep of Wooster (6-12, 1-2) in North Coast Athletic Conference East Division play at the Robertson Complex on Thursday.

The Gators (10-8, 1-0) jumped into the lead with three doubles victories. Max Hennessy and Mike Provenzano won the closest match at second doubles, earning a 9-7 decision against Steve Conroy and Matt Mandell.

At first doubles, Jacob Allmaras and Ben Hurtuk handled Ethan Arenstein and Sam Susanin, 8-4, while Alex Bonfiglio and Jonathan Jordan defeated David Greetham and Adam Muller, 8-1, at third doubles.

Bonfiglio, Provenzano, Hennessy, Allmaras, Jordan and Evan Gordon were winners for the Gators in singles action.

Bonfiglio rallied for a 3-6, 6-1, 10-3, over Mandell at first singles and Provenzano earned his win by default in the second singles match.

At third singles, Hennessy defeated Conroy, 7-5, 6-3, while Allmaras won the fourth singles match over Susanin, 6-2, 6-3. Jordan was victorious against Muller at fifth singles, 6-1, 6-1, and Gordon bested Greetham in the No. 6 match, 6-2, 6-2.

The Gators will be in action next on Saturday with a noon match against NCAC East foe Oberlin.

Gators Win Third Straight

2010-04-19T18:38:00.007-04:00

#2 doubles team Max Hennessy & Mike Provenzano playing solid doubles.

4/16/2010
MEADVILLE, Pa. -- The Allegheny men's tennis team stretched its winning streak to three on Friday with a 9-0 victory over Ohio Wesleyan at the David V. Wise Center.

The Gators (9-8) opened up the match by sweeping doubles play and then lost only one set at singles.

Alex Bonfiglio led the Blue and Gold at first singles, defeating the Battling Bishops' Brandon Luttinger, 6-4, 7-6 (8-6). Max Hennessy and Jacob Allmaras were also straight-set winners. Hennessy was victorious at third singles against Max Razmakhin, 6-2, 6-1, while Allmaras earned a 6-1, 6-4 win over Matt Swain at fourth singles.

Jonathan Jordan won the day's longest match at fifth singles, handling Jake Kerosky, 3-6, 6-0, 10-6.

The Gators also claimed a pair of points in pro-set competition. At second singles, Mike Provenzano defeated Will Thieman, 8-4, and at sixth singles, Evan Gordon played to an 8-3 win over Ryan Leslie.

In doubles competition, Allmaras and Ben Hurtuk teamed for an 8-2 victory over Luttinger and Zach Weaver on the first team. At second doubles, Hennessy and Provenzano took down Leslie and Thieman, 8-3, while the third doubles match was won by Bonfiglio and Jordan -- 8-3 winners over Kerosky and Swaim.

Each Allegheny doubles team was a new combination. The Gators had been using a different set of three teams the entire spring and switched for the first time.

Allegheny will be in action next on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. when it opens North Coast Athletic Conference East Division play against Wooster.

Gator Men Rally For Victory Over Wabash

2010-04-14T10:30:00.004-04:00

Jonathan Jordan clinches the match for the team with his win at #6 singles.

4/10/2010
GAMBIER, Ohio -- After it was swept in doubles play, the Allegheny men's tennis team rallied to win all but one singles match to claim a 5-4 victory over Wabash in its final match at the Great Lakes Colleges Association Tournament.

Alex Bonfiglio, Mike Provenzano, Max Hennessy, Jacob Allmaras and Jonathan Jordan were singles victors for the Gators; Bonfiglio, Hennessy and Jordan battled to three-set wins.

Down one set, Bonfiglio fought back for a 0-6, 7-6, 6-4 win against Zach Lowry at first singles. Provenzano defeated Peter Gunderman at second singles, 6-1, 7-5, while Hennessy outlasted Ricky Ritter at third singles, 6-4, 3-6, 6-2.

In fourth singles action, Allmaras handled Elliott Dewey, 6-2, 6-2. Jordan won the sixth singles match, coming behind for a 2-6, 6-4, 6-1 decision against Lewis Towne.

Gators Sweep Oberlin at GLCA Tournament

2010-04-14T10:14:00.003-04:00

Mike Provenzano winds up to hit a forehand against Oberlin.

4/9/2010

GRANVILLE, Ohio -- The Gators (7-8) swept doubles play before Mike Provenzano and Jonathan Jordan snagged singles victories to clinch the Blue and Gold win against Oberlin (3-16). Provenzano defeated Joe Leffler at second singles, 6-2, 6-2. Jordan claimed his point at sixth singles against Sergio Sanchez, 6-1, 6-1.

In doubles competition, Max Hennessy and Ben Hurtuk defeated Ben Godlove and Eliot Heaten on the first tier, 8-2. Provenzano and Jordan handled Leffler and Sam Townie at second doubles, 8-3, while Jacob Allmaras and Alex Bonfiglio swept Sanchez and Peder Davis, 8-0, at thirds.

Men Defeat Grove City for Second Straight Time

2010-03-30T20:03:00.005-04:00

The men's team took on Grove City tonight in a very cold match. It was the second time this year they faced Grove City and were winners both time by a score of 6-3. Grove City has won the PAC conference 18 years in a row. It was a good win for the Gators. Both men's and women's teams are back in action Wednesday, March 31 in Cleveland, Ohio against Case Western.

Warm Weather and Good Times

2010-03-30T20:02:00.007-04:00

The Gator Tennis Team spent spring break in beautiful Hilton Head Island, SC. While staying at the Beach and Tennis Resort, the team was able to play some very competitive tennis and enjoy the advantages of beach front housing. Good times and great food were had by all as the team enjoyed some fine dining throughout the week. All in all, this trip was an experience that none of us should soon forget!

Men Open Spring Season With Win Over John Carroll

2010-03-15T17:19:00.002-04:00

3/13/2010 7:33:54 PM

Box Score
ERIE, Pa. -- After dropping two of three doubles matches, the Allegheny men's tennis team swept singles competition and claimed a 7-2 victory over John Carroll on Saturday at Westwood Racquet Club.

Jacob Allmaras and Evan Gordon teamed for the lone Gator doubles point. They also won singles matches on their own.

Gordon defeated Ross Venzke at fourth singles, 6-3, 7-5, while Allmaras was victorious against Patrick Lewandowski, 6-1, 6-0. Allmaras and Gordon won the third doubles match over Lewandowski and Paul Olexa, 8-2.

Other singles winners for Allegheny were Alex Bonfiglio, Mike Provenzano, Max Hennessy and Nick Darrow.

Bonfiglio handled Richard Mullaney at first singles, 7-5, 6-7 (7-3), 10-7. Provenzano claimed his point at second singles against Chad Ruehs, 6-4, 6-3. At third singles, Hennessy defeated Michael Hulseman, 6-1, 6-1, and Darrow won the sixth singles match over Edward Zalar, 6-2, 6-0.

The Gators (4-2) will be in action next when they take part in Spring Break action at Hilton Head Island, S.C. Opponents include Salem State, Wisconsin-Whitewater, Carleton and Hope.

Women's Tennis Handle JCU At Westwood

2010-03-15T17:13:00.000-04:00

3/13/2010
Box Score
ERIE, Pa. -- The Allegheny women's tennis team claimed an 8-1 win over John Carroll at Westwood Racquet Club on Saturday.

Four Gators -- Sara Longo, Janna Dickerson, Deb Landau and Meggie Oravec -- won singles matches in straight sets. Longo defeated Anna Navatsyk, 7-5, 6-2, at second singles while Dickerson was victorious over Ashley Bauer, 7-5, 6-1, at No. 4 singles.

Landau won the fifth singles match against Athena Pappis, 6-1, 6-1, and Oravec defeated Allison Mora, 6-3 ,6-2, at sixth singles.

Lauren Kristofco and Elyse Schmitt were also singles winners for Allegheny. Kristofco outlasted Maria Ciccolini in first singles, 6-3, 2-6, 6-1. Schmitt defeated Amy Marchlen at third singles, 6-4, 5-7, 10-5.

In second doubles action, Dickerson and Schmitt teamed for an 8-3 win over Bauer and Ciccolini. Landau and Margaret Hodgkiss-Lilly defeated Deanna Bouchahine and Emily Gorndt at third doubles, 8-3.

The Gators (3-4) will be in action next when they take part in Spring Break action at Hilton Head Island, S.C. Opponents include Wisconsin-Whitewater, Carleton and Hope.

Women's Tennis loses tough match to D-II IUP

2010-02-22T17:04:00.004-05:00

The women's tennis team lost a hard fought battle to Division II opponent Indiana University of Pennsylvania by the final score of 6-3. Janna Dickerson won easily at fourth singles by a score of 6-0 6-3 and Meggie Oravec won at sixth singles 6-4 6-3. Third doubles team Margaret Hodgkiss-Lilly and Deb Landau battled back to win by a score of 8-6.

Below is a video clip of senior Meggie Oravec winning her match at sixth singles. Great Job Meggie!

Tennis Team Performs in Athletes' Talent Show

2010-02-22T16:46:00.006-05:00

The men's and women's tennis team joined forces on Thursday February 18, 2010 to participate in the student athlete talent show sponsored by the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). Team Captain and SAAC Co-President Ben Hurtuk opened the team's "Cinematic Journey" with a speech from the movie The Hangover, followed by scenes from Austin Powers, Old School, Night at the Roxbury, and Napoleon Dynamite. The team's performance concluded with a rousing "Gator Tennis" cheer.

Below is a clip of the Austin Powers segment of the show.

Charlie Murphy Player Profile

2010-02-09T14:55:00.005-05:00

Name: Charlie Murphy
Year: Sophomore
Major: Undecided
Minor: Undecided
High School: Eleanor Roosevelt High School
Hometown: Greenbelt, Maryland

What made you choose Allegheny College?
I really like the campus and the wide variety of courses Allegheny offers. I also really like the food.

What do you enjoy most about being on the tennis team at Allegheny College?
Everyone on the team is close, high-energy, and takes the sport seriously but has fun all at the same time.

What are some of your favorite?
1. Movies: The Prestige, The Departed, Dark Knight, Inception, Michael Collins, Hangover
2. Bands/Music Artists: U2
3. Books: Lord of the Rings Series, Cell, Eragon Series, Frankenstein
4. TV Shows: Friday Night Lights, Lost, House, Big Bang Theory
5. Pro Sports Teams: Redskins, Orioles, Capitals

What is the most interesting place(s) you have traveled?
Ireland

Where would you like to travel, but haven’t been?
Anywhere in Africa

Who is/are your favorite pro tennis player(s)?
Rafael Nadal

What activities are you involved in outside of tennis at Allegheny College?
I play Frisbee, go running, and I might attend one of the ski trips this winter!

What are some of your personal goals for the future?
I would like to maintain a 3.2 GPA throughout my four years at Allegheny. I also want to continue improving my tennis skills so I can play a lot this coming spring season.

Kevin Snyder Player Profile

2010-02-09T14:50:00.003-05:00

Name: Kevin Snyder

Year: Sophomore

Major: Political Science

Minor: History and Writing

High School: Medina High School

Hometown: Medina, NY

What made you choose Allegheny College?

The people at Allegheny really sold the place to me. I loved the community aspect of the school and felt that I could easily fit in and find my place here. I knew that I would be challenged academically, and the chance to play collegiate tennis was something that I couldn’t pass up. All in all, Allegheny gave me the best opportunity to achieve everything that I wanted to in college.

What do you enjoy most about being on the tennis team at Allegheny College?

The thing that I like the best about being on the tennis team is the friendships that we all have. We are a really close group of people, and that makes practices and competitions fun. It never seems like we are alone on court – we are always cheering each other on and helping each other out.

What are some of your favorite?

1. Movies: Vantage Point, Angels and Demons, Remember the Titans, Dodgeball,

2. Bands/Music Artists: Billy Joel, Wiz Khalifa, Five for Fighting, David Guetta, B.o.B

3. Books: Harry Potter, 1776, Friday Night Lights

4. TV Shows: Friday Night Lights, The West Wing, Suits, NCIS

5. Pro Sports Teams: Buffalo Bills, Buffalo Sabres, New York Yankees, New York Knicks

What is the most interesting place(s) you have traveled?

Philadelphia and Boston

Where would you like to travel, but haven’t been?

Europe and Australia

Who is/are your favorite pro tennis player(s)?

Sam Querrey, Mardy Fish

What activities are you involved in outside of tennis at Allegheny College?

I coach soccer back home (my winning percentage is off the charts – no championships yet though!); on campus I am involved with SAAC and College Republicans.

What are some of your personal goals for the future?

I’d love to continue to work in sports, whether that is coaching or some other capacity. I taught tennis for the first time this summer, so I hope to continue to do that during my breaks for the next couple of years. Other than that, I’d like to travel and see a lot of the things that I want to see in the world.

Spring Practices Have Officially Started

2010-02-08T17:12:00.009-05:00

The men's and women's teams kicked off the spring season with the first week of practice in the David V. Wise Center. In addition to playing matches and doing drills on our four indoor courts, both teams have been doing strength and conditioning workouts in the pool, weight room, and racquetball courts. Below are some video clips that show our on and off court workouts.

The women's team doing a forehand and backhand medicine ball workout in the pool.

Coach Luteran putting Mike Provenzano through a ground stroke drill.

The men's and women's team running "The Beep Test".

Another Great ITA Coaches Convention!

2009-12-23T15:39:00.004-05:00

Coach Luteran and Dennis Ralston

Coach Luteran and Emilio Sanchez

I just got back 2 days ago from the 25th annual ITA Coaches Convention in Naples, FL. It was the sixth one that I have attended and once again I went to nearly every single speaker and presenter like a total tennis nerd. I love soaking it all in and coming back fired up to start the spring season with some brand new ideas. If you are interested in learning more about who some of the presenters were at this year's event, I copied the press release straight from the ITA site below.

~Coach Luteran

Legendary Guest Lineup Highlights 25th Annual ITA Coaches Convention
SKILLMAN, N.J. - The 25th annual ITA Coaches Convention took place at the Naples Grande Beach Resort in Naples, Florida, December 16-19, 2009, which featured four legends of the game: Dennis Ralston, Jose Higueras, Emilio Sanchez and Stan Smith. "The ITA Convention is always a very exciting time of the year for our Coaches Association," says ITA Executive Director David A Benjamin. "Besides being able to take in great clinics and workshops at a beautiful resort in a great city, the coaches also have their own special forum to meet and discuss the important issues concerning varsity college tennis."

Dennis Ralston, courtesy of Wilson Sporting Goods, will be the featured keynote speaker at the ITA Welcoming and Awards Banquet, and also give an on court clinic. A former U.S. Davis Cup player and captain (1968 - 1972), Dennis Ralston was elected to the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1987 and the ITA Hall of Fame in 1983. Ralston is a winner of 27 national singles and doubles titles and a five-time winner of Grand Slam doubles titles, and after a stellar playing career, he was the first traveling coach on the pro tour. Chris Evert, Roscoe Tanner, Yannick Noah, Gabriela Sabatini and John Lloyd were among the tennis greats Dennis coached. Ralston was one of those rare individuals who was a Davis Cup winner both as a player and captain. In addition, Dennis Ralston served as the Head Men's Tennis Coach at SMU for a number of years, where his team was perennially one of the top-ranked squads, and his players, such as Rodney Harmon, among the best in men's college tennis. Since his active playing career, he has made a name as an outstanding educator and influencer in the coaching world.

Jose Higueras, courtesy of the USTA, is one of the great players from Spain, winning 16 singles titles between 1976 and 1984 and reaching a high-ranking of No. 6 in the world. As outstanding as he was a player, Higueras is even better known for coaching some of the all-time greats to Grand Slam titles, particularly on clay. Among those who have served under his tutelage are Michael Chang, Jim Courier, Pete Sampras, Todd Martin, Carlos Moya and most recently Robby Ginepri and Roger Federer. At the end of 2008, Higueras was appointed to the position of Director of Coaching for elite player development for the USTA.

Emilio Sanchez, courtesy of Academia Sanchez-Casal, is another Spanish great who achieved his major success on the pro tour in the late '80's and early '90's, particularly in doubles. In all, Sanchez claimed 15 singles titles, reaching as high as No. 7 in singles while amassing 50 doubles titles (including five Grand Slams), a No. 1 world ranking and a 1988 Olympics Silver Medal in doubles. After retiring in 1997, Sanchez captained the Spanish Davis Cup Team for three years before joining the Brazilian tennis confederation where he is currently stationed.

Stan Smith, courtesy of Prince, was elected to the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1987 and inducted into the ITA Hall of Fame in 1984. .. Smith was a three-time ITA All-American at USC, winning the 1968 NCAA Singles title and the 1967 and 1968 NCAA Doubles title. On the pro tour, Stan Smith won the 1971 US Open Singles title and the 1972 Wimbledon Singles title, and was ranked # 1 in the world. In doubles, he and partner Bob Lutz, were considered one of the most successful doubles teams in tennis history, capturing four US Open titles and one Australian Open title Stan has appeared at every ITA Convention since its inception in 1985, and his clinics and workshops are always memorable.

Nearly 300 men's and women's college tennis coaches at all levels gather each year for the ITA Coaches Convention. The four-day convention is highlighted by some of the most influential people in the sport of tennis. In addition to offering clinics, panel discussions, awards banquet, a trade show and a chance to exchange ideas, the ITA Coaches Convention serves as the venue for the association's annual meetings, which includes its Board of Director and Operating Committee sessions.

Holiday Dinner and Baby Shower

2009-12-14T18:40:00.005-05:00

Team gathers in Coach Luteran's basement to watch the fall highlight video at the annual Holiday Dinner.

The women's team threw a baby shower for Mrs. Luteran ("Coach Emily") and here they are playing baby bingo.

It is that time of year again when we have the whole team over for the annual Holiday Dinner at the Luteran House! It is a chance for everyone to take a break from studying for finals and gather somewhere off campus for some good food and conversation. It also gives my wife and I a chance to see some of the players who we haven't seen in a while because they have been hopefully spending all their time in the library! This year Coach Riskie made a fantastic highlight video compilation from the fall season and it got everyone pumped up to start the spring season in early February.

Prior to the Holiday Dinner, the women's team was kind enough to throw a baby shower for my wife. We are expecting our second child in early February and judging by the stack of pink gifts, the girls are really hoping for a baby girl this time!

Happy Holidays everyone!!

~Coach Luteran

On the Road Again!

2009-11-25T11:03:00.017-05:00

The great Willie Nelson song, "On The Road Again," always comes to mind when we are in the heart of our recruiting season. We have been all over the region as of late meeting several great student-athletes and having many engaging conversations with parents and players alike. We were at the USTA College Days in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and New York City, the Girl's State Championships in Columbus, OH and Hershey, PA and we just recently visited some clubs in Erie, PA and the great city of Cleveland, OH (my hometown). Next week we will be spending a few days at some of the top junior programs in the Pittsburgh and Cleveland areas.

It is always fun to go watch various junior clinics around the country to see what kinds of drills coaches are doing with their students. It often sparks some new ideas for us and reinvigorates us for the spring season. Dec. 16-21 I will also be attending my sixth ITA Coaches Convention in Naples, FL where some of the best coaches in the world gather for a week of tennis education. Past presenters have included Brad Gilbert, Patrick McEnroe, Stan Smith, and Nick Bollettieri.

People often wonder what we do as coaches in between our fall and spring season and the answer is RECRUITING! We will take a couple of days off to enjoy Thanksgiving with our families, but then we will be right back "On the Road Again!"

~Coach Luteran