BOONE, N.C. - The
Craig Schwartz era gets underway, as Appalachian State University men's tennis opens up the 2019 slate with three matches in two days. On Friday, the Apps will take part in a doubleheader hosted by Elon. The Mountaineers will face the Phoenix at 9 a.m. before taking on North Carolina A&T at 5 p.m. Appalachian will follow that up with an 11:30 a.m. contest at ETSU in Johnson City, Tenn.
Friday, Jan 18 | Elon, N.C. | Jimmy Powell Tennis Center
App State at Elon - 9 a.m.
App State vs. NC A&T - 5 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 19 | Johnson City, Tenn. | Dave Mullins Tennis Complex
App State at ETSU - 11:30 a.m.
About the Mountaineers
Previewing the Season
Appalachian is coming off its third straight winning season of 12-11 and a second Sun Belt Tournament victory in three seasons over second-seeded Louisiana. The Mountaineers will have to replace the mainstay for four seasons in
Scott Webster, but the Apps do return six players that played a pivotal role in 2018.
Ben Webster returns as the wins leader from last season with 12 victories in singles play and 15 doubles wins with his partner,
Alex Pavkovich. Pavkovich is back for his junior season after a nine-win year in singles, while
Milo Bargeron won nine games in singles and 15 matches in doubles play.
Blake Carter is coming off a 6-6 mark in singles, and
Campbell Stone combined to win nine matches (6 singles/3 doubles).
Alex Brea joins Stone as the two seniors who look
to lead the team with their leadership.
The Schwartz Era
Craig Schwartz is in his first year at the helm for the Black and Gold following a successful one-year stint at St. John's. He helped lead the Red Storm to a 14-6 mark highlighted by a stellar 10-1 record at home. Schwartz is the eighth head coach in the program's history.
Returners
Milo Bargeron
Alex Brea
Blake Carter
Alex Pavkovich
Campbell Stone
Ben Webster
Freshmen
Will Hart
Zion Heaven
Bence Tamas
Afonso Viana
Scouting Elon
The Phoenix are coming off a 16-8 mark, including an 11-2 record at home. Elon returns the Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year in Felipe Sarrasague. In addition, All-CAA Second Team honoree, Mario Paccini is back. Elon returns five upperclassmen from last season Elon finished 84-51 in singles play and 36-23 in doubles competition.
Scouting North Carolina A&T
The Aggies went 0-18 last season, while Jorge Goenaga led the team with four victories in singles play. NC A&T had two duos post a pair of victories in doubles.
Scouting ETSU
ETSU had a solid year in 2017-18, finishing 16-8 with an unblemished 7-0 SoCon record en route to a conference tournament title and an NCAA Tournament berth. ETSU brings back three of its top four singles wins leaders in Sergi Fontcuberta (17-5),
David Gonzalez (15-2) and Miguel Este (10-6). In doubles, Juan Lugo/Taisei Miyamoto led the team with nine victories. ETSU went 81-41 in singles and 38-26 in doubles.
What's Next
Appalachian's schedule doesn't get tougher with a Jan. 26 matchup at Clemson next weekend.
