Ault, Kleman Lead Five Jackets on All-HCAC Team

GREENWOOD, Ind. – On the heels of racking up 15 victories, finishing third in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference and advancing into the HCAC Tournament Semifinals, the Defiance College men's tennis team saw five student-athletes garner All-HCAC honors.

Tyler Ault, Austin Kleman, Adam Fausey, Trevor Ault and Aaron Cottos were each recognized after helping lead DC to one of its finest seasons in program history. The five-some accounted for 59 of the Jackets' 81 singles wins on the season and led the squad to a 15-8 overall mark. The group also racked up 25-of-33 singles victories for Defiance in HCAC play, en route to leading DC to a 6-2 record in league action.

Tyler Ault was named as one of two Yellow Jackets to make the All-HCAC squad, after leading Defiance from the top singles and doubles positions throughout much of the year. Ault posted a combined 26-19 mark and went 9-6 in league action at the top of DC's lineup. The Oregon, Ohio, native highlighted his season with a HCAC Player-of-the-Week honor on March 3, after winning at No. 1 singles and doubles in a 6-3 victory against Adrian.

Kleman joined Ault as an All-HCAC selection, after posting identical 13-9 marks in singles and doubles play. The Sidney, Ohio, native teamed with Tim Kurtz at the top two doubles slots and played primarily at the No. 3 singles position. Kleman saw his production increase significantly in HCAC play, where he went a perfect 7-0 with six wins coming at No. 3 and one coming via a victory at No. 2.

Fausey capped his finest collegiate season with an Honorable Mention All-HCAC nod. The senior went 30-14 on the year and a combined 8-6 in conference matches. Fausey saw most of his time at No. 4 singles, while also teaming with Tyler Ault to form DC's top doubles tandem. The Napoleon, Ohio, native was also named as the HCAC's Player of the Week on March 16 after winning all 10 of his matches on the week.

Trevor Ault made his mark on the HCAC during his first collegiate campaign and joined Fausey as an Honorable Mention All-HCAC selection. Ault closed the season on a 17-match win streak in singles play and led the squad with a combined 35-9 mark. The Oregon, Ohio, native went 17-5 in singles and 18-4 at No. 3 doubles for the year, while going a perfect 15-0 in league action.

Cottos rounded out DC's list of HCAC award winners, as the senior was named as the Yellow Jackets' representative on the HCAC All-Sportsmanship Team. Cottos earned his fourth varsity letter with Defiance in 2009 and went 3-2 in singles competition.

The Jackets will look to build on the winning season and are set to return four of six starters next year with Tyler Ault, Kleman and Trevor Ault joining fellow returning player, Lachmond Bratton, to lead DC in 2010.