Back-To-Back SEC Champions!

By Kim Ling
Associate Director, Athletics Media Relations

When the book finally closed on the 2005 season, the men's tennis team had written an outstanding story, one the fans will remember for a long time. The Rebels enjoyed one of the finest campaigns in the history of Ole Miss sports.

The Rebels captured their second consecutive overall SEC Championship and won their fourth straight SEC Western Division Title. The team hosted an NCAA Regional for the fifth year in a row and advanced to the NCAA Final Four, marking the program's fourth overall SEC Championship and its fourth trip to the NCAA Final Four. Head coach Billy Chadwick's team ended the year ranked No. 3 in the nation, finishing in the top five nationally for the sixth time in the last 10 years.

Moments after his team had captured their second consecutive overall SEC Championship, Chadwick said "This championship is a tribute to the dedication and hard work from every team member. It feels great to be SEC Champions for the second year in a row. It is such a difficult thing to accomplish in this league."

The Southeastern Conference is widely regarded as the nation's top conference in football, and everyone knows it. Look a little closer and you'll find that arguably men's tennis is the top sport in the league. In 2001, 2002, and 2004, the league placed all 12 teams in the NCAA Championships, the only sport in the conference to do so and the only conference in the nation to do so.

Throughout the 2005 season, as many as 10 teams were ranked in the top 25. Seven SEC teams ended the year ranked in the top 16 with four in the top 10. No other SEC sport last year can claim such a feat.

Not only has tennis become one of the top sports in the SEC, it is vastly becoming important to the fans at Ole Miss. As the Rebels approach the 10-year anniversary of the program's first SEC championship title (1996), attendance has reached capacity for home matches.

On senior day last year, the Rebels hosted Florida with the SEC title on the line. A win would keep the Rebels' chances for the SEC Championship alive, but a loss would end the bid for a repeat. It was senior day, and the tennis center was rocking. Nearly 800 fans witnessed the Rebels hand the Gators a 5-2 loss.

Chadwick thanked the raucous crowd, saying "The fans were a huge part of this win, and we appreciate their support. This was a great day for the Rebels. We encourage everyone to come down to Starkville next Saturday and help us claim the overall championship."

Over 150 fans took the coach up on his offer and made the trip down to Starkville to cheer on the Rebels as they battled Mississippi State. The Rebels defeated the Bulldogs for the 15th time in a row to secure the SEC Championship.

"Our fans gave us a home court advantage,"Chadwick said moments after the traditional Gatorade bath. "This championship belongs to the fans as well as the team."

As the 2006 season approaches, the Rebels look forward to competing for a third consecutive SEC championship and a fifth straight Western Division title. However, a familiar face to Rebel fans will be missing from the courts. Three-time All-America and 2004 SEC Player of the Year, Catalin Gard, completed his illustrious career in 2005. Gard spent 24 weeks at No.1 in the nation last year and ended an outstanding career with 107 wins.

"It's impossible to replace someone of Cat's caliber," Chadwick notes. "He's meant so much to this program. But, we feel that our strength this year will be in our talent and depth. We have the makings to be in the hunt for another championship."

The Rebels return the nucleus from last year's team, with six players who all contributed to the Rebels' success at the NCAA Championships. Experience and tradition are on their side.

In 2006, the Rebels will look to their lone senior for leadership. Juan Pablo Di Cesare was one of the Rebels' most consistent performers last year with a 21-3 dual match record. He clinched the win over Mississippi State for the SEC Championship, and one month later, sealed the win over Auburn for a berth in the NCAA "Sweet Sixteen."

"Last year's championship season was marked by contributions from top to bottom and a different hero every match," Chadwick said. "Our three freshmen did an outstanding job of making the adjustment to collegiate tennis and all experienced the thrill of clinching an SEC win for the Rebels."

Jakob Klaeson and Bram ten Berge played excellent doubles at the NCAA Championships, and ten Berge clinched the match over Georgia to send the Rebels to the Final Four. Freshman Erling Tveit finished with a 21-2 record and has positioned himself as one of the top returning players in the nation.

"Juniors Eric Claesson and Fredrik Aarum have been instrumental in our winning the last two SEC Championships," Chadwick added. "We are also very excited about the addition of Mississippian Chris Rea."

The 2006 SEC Championship could come down to the final regular season match as it has the previous two years. Fortunately for the Rebels, they will play their final three conference matches at the friendly confines of the Palmer/Salloum Tennis Center, where they have won 25 straight regular season home matches dating back to April 6, 2003.

With the core of last year's team back, the Rebels are hoping to give the fans another year to remember. Stay tuned!

The University of Mississippi Athletics

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