DC Men’s Tennis Places Trio on HCAC Preseason Watch List

GREENWOOD, Ind. – The Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference released its preseason poll and players to watch list for the upcoming men's tennis season on Tuesday. Defiance received 27 points, placing it ninth in the poll. Three Yellow Jackets landed on the preseason Players-to-Watch List.

Juniors Cord Speelman, Mike Ross and sophomore Ryan Nelson were recognized by the HCAC coaches as players who could make an impact on the upcoming conference season for the Yellow Jackets.

Speelman is a junior who brings plenty of experience to the court for the Purple and Gold. The junior played the majority of his matches at the number three singles position a season ago and amassed 10 wins last spring. The Bryan native also played two doubles during his sophomore season.

Nelson is a returning letterwinner for the Yellow Jackets this upcoming season. The sophomore played all but one match at the four singles spot and posted the best record on the squad with a single's mark of 16-6. Nelson also accrued 11 wins at one doubles.

After a season off, Ross returns to the DC tennis team for the 2013 campaign. The Bryan High product played most of his matches at number two singles as a freshman and played the majority of doubles action at the one position. Ross is also a member of the DC men's golf team.

Earlham was selected first in the conference receiving 100 total points, including all ten first place votes. Following the Pioneers were Transylvania (89), Rose-Hulman (72), Franklin (71) and Hanover (60).

The Yellow Jackets open up the season at home in a dual match against Baldwin-Wallace and St. Francis on March 2. The first match of the day is slated to begin at 9:00 a.m.