April 30, 2008
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara men's tennis team finished their season under first year head coach Derek Mills with an eight place finish in the West Coast Conference. While the Broncos results did not always reflect their progression and hard work, they finished the season 2-15.
"This season we did not get the results we hoped for, but everyone stayed focused and worked hard" said head coach Derek Mills. "I attribute this to their perseverance and commitment to the program. Every week we steadily improved and this season has created a great foundation for next year."
Santa Clara began the season with a 4-2 defeat over UC Santa Cruz on January 19 and five weeks later they had the biggest win of the season over conference foe Gonzaga. On February 24, the Broncos hosted the Bulldogs at the indoor courts at Club Sport Pleasanton, in Pleasanton, Calif. After the match was postponed due to rain and they moved to the indoor courts and Santa Clara was able to edge a 4-3 victory over Gonzaga.
As the 2008 season concludes, the Broncos are looking forward to next season. Coach Mills anticipates this season's active roster, and redshirt senior Blane Shields and junior Tommy Hicks who were injured all season to be back, as well as the team to add three incoming freshmen to round out the lineup.
Jay Wong
Sophomore Jay Wong was honored this season with All WCC Second Team honors. Wong anchored the Broncos this season with a 10-7 record at the No. 1 singles position. He began the season with a four match winning streak and ended the season with a three match streak. This is the second consecutive season Wong has been honored and named to the All WCC second team.
Kenzo Hirakawa-Wong
Junior Kenzo Hirakawa-Wong was co-captain this season and played a crucial role in the Broncos lineup, playing the majority of the season at the No. 2 and No. 3 singles positions. Hirakawa-Wong came into the season after seeing minimal action before and was able to get some key wins over tough competition this season.
Senthil Chidambaram
Newcomer Senthil Chidambaram played his first season of Division I tennis in his fourth academic year at Santa Clara. Chidambaram who had worked hard to make the team, came in and saw success in the upper half of the Bronco lineup. Chidambaram who played as high as the No. 2 singles position, will be back next season.
Charlie Burke, John Iwanski and Justin Wong
Juniors Charlie Burke and John Iwanski, and freshman Justin Wong all joined the Santa Clara tennis program prior to the dual season beginning. The trio filled the bottom of the Bronco lineup and progressed throughout the season. While they ended the season winless, they stayed focused and worked hard the entire season.