When one streak ends, it's time to start another one. Just ask Jay Lapidus and the 1997-98 men's tennis team. After being denied their fifth consecutive Atlantic Coast Conference crown by the Clemson Tigers last year, the Blue Devils are back and better than ever.
Despite losing a pair of regulars, graduates Adam Gusky and Sven Koehler, from last year's squad, Duke is being hailed by head coach Jay Lapidus as the deepest and most competitive ever.
Lapidus should know. In just his eighth year as head coach, he can already count among his accolades three ACC Coach of the Year awards, five ACC championships, six NCAA tournament berths and a No. 4 ranking in 1993. In 1998 he expects to see that number four ranking challenged.
"I think we have a team that can definitely be top five," Lapidus said.
Leading the Blue Devil's charge to the top this year will be senior captain Alberto Brause. Brause, a member of the Uruguayan Davis Cup Team, carries an impressive resume that includes a 56-21 career singles record (with a team high 28 victories last season), an All-ACC selection last year and an Intercollegiate Tennis Association ranking of 28.
He and fellow captain Ramin Pejan are the lone seniors on this year's 11-member squad. Though Brause holds the highest ITA ranking on the team, there should be other Blue Devils at the top. Close on his heels are a pair of former ACC Rookie of the Year recipients, Doug Root and Dmitry Muzyka.
Root, the 1997 ACC Rookie of the Year, begins his sophomore campaign with a No. 30 ITA ranking. He took the ACC by storm as a freshman, posting 28 wins last season en route to his unanimous Rookie of the Year selection. After an injury to Dmitry Muzyka placed Root in the top singles spot, he compiled a 13-12 mark. In doubles play, along with partner Jordan Wile, Root climbed to a number eight ranking.
Like Root, Muzyka blasted through his freshman campaign in 1996, earning an All-ACC selection and a No. 42 ITA ranking to go along with his Rookie of the Year honors. He also compiled an impressive doubles season, reaching No. 9 with partner Sven Koehler. Though hobbled recently by injuries Muzyka is expected to make a full recovery and be in contention for the top singles spot.
The 1998 ACC Rookie of the Year could very well wear Duke Blue as well. The 97-98 Blue Devils feature four freshmen in their 11-man lineup. Ramsey Smith, Ted Rueger, Andres Pedroso and Marko Cerenko all are expected to make immediate impacts. They have already achieved the respect of their coach and teammates, described by Root as great players who will hopefully add a lot to the team.
The first test for the Blue Devils this year will be this weekend's National Clay Court Tournament. Featuring the top college players and teams in the nation, this tournament should provide a great measuring stick for the team. Coach Lapidus hopes this tournament will do more than just provide experience to his players.
"All the guys are experienced," Lapidus said. "We want to use this tournament to boost our rankings."
The Blue Devils are currently sitting on a preseason ranking of eighth in the Rolex dual team standings.
Rankings aside, this Blue Devil team is one of the most talented in recent years, featuring solid play up and down the line. Both coaches and players are brimming with confidence at the prospects of this year. With a large team, so well-balanced, the on court competition is intense.
"Everybody's really pushing each other to make ourselves better," Root said.
This competition does not extend off the court though. Coach Lapidus praised the camaraderie of his players.
"The chemistry is really great here," Lapidus said. "They're a bunch of really personable guys, and [good team chemistry] is important to winning."
Following on the heels of last year's strong showing at the NCAAs, the players are also looking to grow with each other during the fall season.
"We really feel together, like we are in the same boat," Brause said.
Duke's players are definitely in the same boat this year, and that boat might just be bound for the NCAA Championships.
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