Coach Luteran Attends ITA Coaches Convention

Coach Emily and Coach Luteran checking out the ITA Mini-Trade show. This picture is courtesy of the ITA website.

I just returned from the 24th annual ITA Coaches Convention in Naples, FL. This was the fourth time I have attended the ITA convention and once again it was a fantastic learning experience. I always come back invigorated and ready to start the spring season with several new ideas I picked up from many of the best coaches in the world.

This year's convention featured Stan Smith, Zina Garrison, Nick Saviano, and many others. There were nearly 300 other college coaches from all divisions and all parts of the country. The ITA (Intercollegiate Tennis Association) is the governing body of collegiate tennis and was founded in 1956.

~Coach Luteran

Holiday Dinner at Coach Luteran's House

Coach Luteran was kind enough to have both teams over for a holiday dinner this past weekend. The teams enjoyed a feast of food all thanks to Coach Luteran and Coach Emily. The players ate, enjoyed eachother's company as well as cheered on their favorite NFL teams in Coach Luteran's basement. The evening served as a great chance for the men's and women's teams to get together and take a little break from their studies, relax and have fun. Finals are fastly approaching with the completion of first semester coming next week. Following finals the players will be heading home for the holidays and will be returning mid-January. Happy Holidays to all!

~Coach Eisele

Recruiting Trip to Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and New York City

I had very productive recruiting trips to the college showcase days in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and New York City over the past few weekends. I was very excited about the recruits that I had the chance to speak with and watch play at the showcases. Coach Luteran and I are very excited about the prospects for next year and where the tennis program is headed. We are also excited to see the number of recruits playing in the off-season and competing in USTA tournaments, it is very encouraging!

~Coach Eisele

Allegheny men's tennis finishes 18th in Central Region

Nov 7, 2008

MEADVILLE, Pa. -- The Allegheny College men's tennis team finished its 2008 fall campaign ranked 18th in the Central Region by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association.

The Gators posted a 2-4 overall record, collecting wins over foes
Grove City and Mount Union. The Gators' schedule featured just three contests against Division III opponents as the squad narrowly missed out on wins against Division I Robert Morris and Division II Mercyhurst, falling 3-4 and 4-5, respectively.

Matt Chiricosta (Pictured-Avon Lake, Ohio/St. Ignatius) paced the Gators in singles play with a 4-2 record at No. 1 singles where he ended the season on a three-match winning streak.

Chiricosta also paced the Gators in doubles play with partner Benjamin Hurtek (Chagrin Falls, Ohio/Chagrin Falls). The duo recorded a 5-1 mark at No. 1 doubles as their only loss came at the hands of Division II West Virginia Wesleyan.

The Gators were just one of four teams within the North Coast Athletic Conference to finish the fall season ranked in the Central Region's Top 25.

Allegheny is next in action on Feb. 22 when it begins the spring season against John Carroll at 10 a.m. at the Westwood Racquet Club in Erie, Pa.

Why We Play D-III Athletics

"It’s not about getting a scholarship, getting drafted, or making SportsCenter. It’s a deep need in us that comes from the heart. We need to practice, to play, to lift, to hustle, to sweat. We do it all for our teammates and for the student in our calculus class that we don’t even know.

We don’t practice with a future major league first baseman; we practice with a future sports agent. We don’t lift weights with a future Olympic wrestler; we lift with a future doctor. We don’t run with a future Wimbledon champion; we run with a future CEO. It’s a bigger part of us than our friends and family can understand. Sometimes we play for 2,000 fans; sometimes 25. But we still play hard. You cheer for us because you know us. You know more than just our names. Like all of you, we are students first. We don’t sign autographs. But we do sign graduate school applications, MCAT exams, and student body petitions. When we miss a kick or strike out, we don’t let down an entire state. We only let down our teammates, coaches, and fans.

But the hurt is still the same. We train hard, lift, throw, run, kick, tackle, shoot, dribble, and lift some more, and in the morning we go to class. And in that class we are nothing more than students. It’s about pride—in ourselves, in our school. It’s about our love and passion for the game. And when it’s over, when we walk off that court or field for the last time, our hearts crumble. Those tears are real. But deep down inside, we are very proud of ourselves. We will forever be what few can claim...college athletes."

-Author unknown

Facilities

We have 12 US Open Deco Turf outdoor courts with lights and a newly installed sound system. All 12 courts were resurfaced in the summer of '09. We have speakers on all the courts and a volume control for every court. Our players can plug in their Ipods during practice and for pre-match music. Before every match we introduce the players on a wireless mic and play the National Anthem. We also have 4 indoor courts located at the Wise Center which is our indoor athletic facility on campus.

Gators Make a Difference

MEADVILLE, Pa - The Allegheny men’s and women’s tennis teams participated in “Make a Difference Day” 2008 by volunteering their time to help pick up leaves at a nearby trailer park in Meadville, PA. For the past six years the Allegheny Tennis teams have participated in “Make a Difference Day” 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 Saturday morning, October 18th, grabbed some rakes and leaf blowers and gave the community a new look. 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.

Gators Share Passion for Tennis

Making a point of waking up early the men’s and women’s tennis team held their annual free tennis clinic for the youth of Meadville and surrounding areas on Saturday, October 4th. Everyone ages 6-18 was invited to attend and the turn out was great. 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 Allegheny College style warm-up led by the coaching staff and players, followed by drills, instruction, games, prizes, and of course a whole lot of fun.

Here is a video from Spring Break, a few of our men's players decided to have some fun on a bike!

Spring Break

Every year the Allegheny Men's and Women's Tennis Team takes a spring break trip to Hilton Head Island in South Carolina. The trip is filled with practices, matches and most of all FUN!

Fun Run at Woodcock Park

Sept 29, 2008

Meadville, PA. Today the men's and women's tennis team took a break from their normal practice routine and took a field trip to Woodcock Park. The team enjoyed a fun 2-mile run across the Woodcock dam followed by a trip to a local ice cream shop to enjoy a treat. This is just one example of the numerous activities that the Allegheny men's and women's tennis teams do together other than play tennis!

Four Gator women advance into second round of ITA Regional

Sep 28, 2008

OBERLIN, Ohio – Four different Allegheny women’s tennis players advanced to the second round of singles play before being eliminated at the ITA Central Regional Tournament over the weekend. One doubles team also advanced to the second round, but also fell in its second match.

Lauren Kristofco, Sara Longo (pictured), Alyssa Tom and Elyse Schmitt went 1-1 each in the 64-woman singles tournament. Kristofco and Longo also teamed to go 1-1 in doubles.

Kristofco defeated Albion’s Cassie Simmelink, 6-2, 6-4, before she was eliminated by Chrissy Hu of Chicago, 6-1, 6-0. Meanwhile, Longo ousted Chicago’s Aswini Krishnan, 0-6, 6-1, 6-2, before falling to Denison’s Erin Chadwell, 6-2, 6-0.

After stretching her singles winning streak to eight, freshman Schmitt suffered her first loss in collegiate play. In the first round, she beat Kenyon’s Carly Bond, 6-3, 6-2, but was then knocked out by Kendra Higgins of Chicago, 6-1, 6-0.

Tom claimed a first-round win over Katie Gibbs of Ohio Northern, 7-6(3), 6-2. Then, she lost to Washington’s Erin Swaller, 6-0, 6-0.

Janna Dickerson lost in the first round to Washington’s Kristin Fleming, 6-1, 6-0. Then, in consolation action, she fell to Ariel Lewis of Oberlin, 6-2, 6-2.

Kristofco and Longo opened doubles play with an 8-5 win over the Ohio Northern duo of Bridget Larson and Kaitlyn MacDonald. The Gators then faced the third-seeded team from DePauw – Janelle Arita and Kelly Gebert – and lost, 8-5.

Dickerson and Tom lost to Manchester’s Milli Ridoutt and Jordan Youst, 8-3, while another Gator pair, Margaret Hodgkiss-Lilly and Meggie Oravec, fell to Zandri Strauss and Tricia Wilks of DePauw, 8-0.

AC men's tennis edges Mount Union for second consecutive win

Sep 26, 2008

Boxscore

ALLIANCE, Ohio – The Allegheny men’s tennis team wrapped up its fall season with a 5-4 win over Mount Union. The Gators earned their second straight win.

After two doubles teams claimed wins, the Gators split singles competition, led by Matt Chiricosta (Avon Lake, Ohio/St. Ignatius), Matt Spriegel (Wibraham, Mass./Minnechaug) and Zack Kerosky (Ashtabula, Ohio/Lakeside).

Chiricosta battled back from a one-set deficit to defeat Zach Perry, 4-6, 6-1, 6-1, at first singles. Spriegel earned his victory over Brian Widdoes, 6-2, 6-1, at No. 2 singles while Kerosky handled Brian Belconis, 6-2, 6-4, at No. 5 singles.

In doubles action, Chiricosta and Ben Hurtuk (Chagrin Falls, Ohio/Chagrin Falls) teamed to win their No. 1 doubles match. They bested Belconis and Travis Papay, 8-4. At third doubles, Kerosky and Eric Roginek (Fresh Meadows, N.Y./Archbishop Molloy) beat Widdoes and Jimmy Jeffries, 8-3.

The Gators will see its next dual match when they host John Carroll on Feb. 22 at Westwood Racquet Club in Erie, Pa. That match will begin at 10 a.m.

Allegheny women's tennis edged by Grove City, 5-4

Sep 24, 2008

Boxscore

The Allegheny women’s tennis team was edged 5-4 by Grove City (7-0, 3-0 PAC) on Wednesday at the Robertson Complex.

Freshman Elyse Schmitt (Pittsburgh, Pa./Upper Saint Clair) extended her singles winning streak to seven, remaining remain unbeaten in collegiate play. She defeated Christina Bedi, 6-1, 6-3, at fifth singles.

Deb Landau (Wallingford, Pa./Strath Haven) also earned an individual win for Allegheny at No. 6 singles. She handled Renee Barnett, 6-2, 6-4.

In doubles action, Jackie Conrad (Fallston, Md./Fallston) and Margaret Hodgkiss-Lilly (Cleveland Heights, Ohio/Cleveland Heights) won their fourth straight match – an 8-5 decision over Bedi and Stacy Moon at No. 3.

Schmitt and Janna Dickerson (Fort Collins, Colo./Poudre) teamed to win at No. 2 doubles. They defeated Lisa Baldwin and Kristin Taylor, 8-5.

The Gator women (3-4) have wrapped up their fall dual season. However, some will compete Sept. 27-29 in the ITA Regional Championships at Oberlin.

AC men's tennis defeats Grove City, 6-3, for first victory of year

Sep 24, 2008

Boxscore

The Allegheny men’s tennis team earned its first win of the year, claiming a 6-3 win over Grove City, on Wednesday at the Robertson Complex.

Matt Chiricosta (Avon Lake, Ohio/St. Ignatius) and Matt Spriegel (Wibraham, Mass./Minnechaug) won at Nos. 1 and 2 singles, respectively. Both battled back from early deficits to win in three sets.

Chiricosta was shut out in his first set against John Moyer before finishing off a 0-6, 6-3, 6-3, win. Meanwhile, Spriegel came back to defeat Ricky Garrett, 3-6, 7-5, 6-4.

Zack Kerosky (Ashtabula, Ohio/Lakeside) was a winner at fifth singles, beating Marc Mentzer, 6-3, 6-3. Eric Roginek (Fresh Meadows, N.Y./Archbishop Molloy) added a win at No. 6 singles over Kyle Johnson, 6-0, 6-2.

In doubles, Chiricosta and Ben Hurtuk (Chagrin Falls, Ohio/Chagrin Falls) claimed a 9-7 win at No. 1 against Moyer and Peter Davis. Roginek and Evan Gordon (Rochester, N.Y./Brighton) also won a hotly-contested matchup over Jeremy Dwyer and Jon Pombo at No. 3 doubles, 9-7.

The Gators (1-4) will be back in action on Friday, Sept. 26, when they visit Mount Union for a 3:30 p.m. start.

Gator men's tennis falls, 4-3, to D-1 foe Robert Morris

Sep 20, 2008

Boxscore

MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – The Allegheny men’s tennis team won five of its nine matches against Division I opponent Robert Morris, but fell, 4-3. The Gators swept RMU in doubles competition. However, in D-I tennis, doubles competition yields one total point, a rule which hurt Allegheny.

Matt Chiricosta (Avon Lake, Ohio/St. Ignatius) and Ben Hurtuk (Chagrin Falls, Ohio/Chagrin Falls) won their No. 1 doubles match. They defeated Shawn Curley and Mateusz Wadzinski, 9-7.

At second doubles, Jacob Allmaras (Powell, Ohio/Olentangy Liberty) and Matt Spriegel (Wibraham, Mass./Minnechaug) handled David Pinto and Igov Neves, 8-5, while Zack Kerosky (Ashtabula, Ohio/Lakeside) and Evan Gordon (Rochester, N.Y./Brighton) claimed victory in No. 3 doubles, 9-7, over Daniel Becker and Aaron Haas.

Up 1-0 after doubles, Allegheny needed three singles points to clinch the win. However, only a pair of Gators – Chiricosta and Kerosky – came through.

Chiricosta beat Wadzinski at first singles, winning a hard-fought match, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4. At fifth singles, Kerosky defeated Ryan Cameron, 6-3, 6-4.

The Gator men will be in action next on Wednesday, Sept. 24. They will host Grove City at 5 p.m.

AC women's tennis sweeps D-I Robert Morris

Sep 20, 2008

Boxscore

MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – The Allegheny women’s tennis team swept all nine matches on Saturday as it defeated NCAA Division I opponent Robert Morris, 7-0.

Sara Longo (Allison Park, Pa./Hampton) and the doubles team of Jackie Conrad (Fallston, Md./Fallston) and Margaret Hodgkiss-Lilly (Cleveland Heights, Ohio/Cleveland Heights) registered the most dominating wins of the day. Longo won her No. 4 singles match over RMU’s Sara Meier, 6-0, 6-0. At third doubles, Conrad and Hodgkiss-Lilly shut out Meier and Gwen Dalphon, 8-0.

Longo and Lauren Kristofco (Hollidaysburg, Pa./Bishop Guilfoyle) won their match at first doubles, defeating Kali Delorie and Libby Shaw, 8-5. Alyssa Tom (Poland, Ohio/Poland Seminary) and Janna Dickerson (Fort Collins, Colo./Poudre) claimed victory over Katarina Rudneva and Maria Olaussen, 8-6, at second doubles.

In singles action, Kristofco handled Delorie at first singles, 6-3, 6-1, while Tom bested Shaw, 6-0, 6-4, in No. 2 singles.

At third singles, Dickerson rallied to beat Rudneva, 3-6, 6-0, 10-4. Elyse Schmitt (Pittsburgh, Pa./Upper Saint Clair) thwarted a comeback attempt by Olaussen at fifth singles, winning 6-1, 3-6, 10-3, while Allison Elick (Lancaster, Ohio/Lancaster) defeated Dalphon, 6-2, 6-0, in sixth singles.

The Allegheny women will be in action next when they host Slippery Rock on Tuesday, Sept. 23, at 5 p.m.

Gator men's tennis edged by Mercyhurst, 5-4, in drama-filled match

Sep 16, 2008

Boxscore

The Allegheny men’s tennis team nearly knocked off NCAA Division II Mercyhurst for the second straight year, but fell just short as it lost, 5-4, at the Robertson Complex.

The Gators opened up the match with a 3-0 lead as it swept the doubles portion. The first team of Matt Chiricosta (Avon Lake, Ohio/St. Ignatius) and Ben Hurtuk (Chagrin Falls, Ohio/Chagrin Falls) bested Mercyhurst’s Tim Hansson and Mike Aronson, 9-7.

At second doubles, Matt Spriegel (Wibraham, Mass./Winnechaug) and Jake Allmaras (Powell, Ohio/Olentangy Liberty) defeated Mijo Cotic and Adam Marnik, 8-2, while Evan Gordon (Rochester, N.Y./Brighton) and Eric Roginek (Fresh Meadows, N.Y./Archbishop Molloy) handled Kyle King and Ronald Heurich, 9-7, at No. 3 doubles.

After that, the Lakers took five of the final six points, culminating in Chiricosta’s dramatic third set against Hansson at first singles. The drama ended with Hansson ahead, 4-6, 6-2, 7-6(4).

Hurtuk won at fourth singles as he defeated Marnik, 6-3, 6-3.

Allegheny (0-3) will be in action next on Saturday when it visits Robert Morris for an 11 a.m. start.

Women's tennis opens with win over Westminster

Sep 10, 2008

Boxscore

The Allegheny College women’s tennis team opened its 2008 fall season with a 7-2 win over Westminster at the Robertson Complex. Prior to the match, the Titans (4-1) had not lost a single set this fall.

Doubles competition featured a trio of freshmen including Alyssa Tom (Poland, Ohio/Poland Seminary), Janna Dickerson (Fort Collins, Colo./Poudre) and Deborah Landau (Wallingford, Pa./Strath Haven) who earned their first collegiate wins during the match’s opening portion.

In singles action, Tom and classmate Elyse Schmitt (Pittsburgh, Pa./Upper Saint Clair) claimed their first individual wins.

At first doubles, Tom and Lauren Kristofco (Hollidaysburg, Pa./Bishop Guilfoyle) defeated Westminster’s Andrea Redhair and Lauren Latinovich, 8-3, while Dickerson and Sara Longo (Allison Park, Pa./Hampton) handled April Scudere and Hilary Newman at second doubles, 8-4.

Also for Allegheny, Landau and Jackie Conrad (Fallson, Md./Fallston) teamed to win their third doubles match over Beth Erwin and Rachel Jack, 8-5.

Kristofco defeated Scudere, 6-3, 6-4, at first singles while Tom bested Redhair, 6-2, 6-1, at second singles. Schmitt won at fifth singles over Natalie Hruska, 6-2, 6-0, and Allison Elick (Lancaster, Ohio/Lancaster) claimed a sixth singles victory against Jack, 6-1, 6-2.

The Gators (1-0) will see its next action when they host the Nancy J. Heath Invitational on Saturday. Tournament action begins at 8 a.m.

Gator Retreat

MEADVILLE, Pa. - Each year the Allegheny Gators kick off their season with a team retreat. The annual retreat includes team building activities and a number of games all put together by a guest facilitator. Along with a whole lot of fun the retreat serves as an opportunity for the teams and coaches to get together to discuss different items for the upcoming season such as team rules, recruiting, fundraising ideas, as well as ideas for practice and work-outs.