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Tennis senior: ATW
by Erin Morrell
Collegial Staff
This week's Housing and Food
Services Athlete of the Week is
senior tennis player Karl
Van Tassel. Van Tassel attended
Seneca High School and has been
playing tennis since he was nine
years old.
"I've been playing table tennis
since I was young. My dad got
me started with tennis," said
Van Tassel.
Head Coach Chuck Keenan
believes that Van Tassel has been
playing very well and deserves to
be the ATW.
"I feel that Karl was chosen as
the ATW because he plays first
singles and has only lost two
matches. That's a pretty
impressive record for someone in
that position," coach Keenan
said.
Van Tassel enjoys tennis
thoroughly. "My favorite aspect
is the fact that you can do
something that you thought was
impossible. You don't know
what you can do until you try,
and trying helps you set goals
higher. On top of that, it's fun,"
Van Tassel said.
In response to Van Tassel's
playing ability, Coach Keenan is
very impressed.
- Karl is probably the hardest
worker I've seen since I started
coaching. He's very tenacious,
never quits, even at practice. He
also has a 'never say die' attitude--
that's how he wins matches,"
explained Coach Keenan.
As for Van Tassel's belief in his
strengths, he appears to have
by Nick Zulovich Draft day approaching: The
Assistant Sports Editor NFL draft will begin Saturday at
noon in New York. The
Montana retires: Former San Carolina Panthers own the top
Francisco and Kansas City pick, with fellow expansion team
quarterback Joe Montana retired Jacksonville holding the second.
from the football yesterday. The Penn State running back Ki-Jana
three time Super Bowl MVP C arter i s expecte d to b e t h e fi rst
decided to quit the game at age player selected. Other players
39. After 16 season in the NFL . expected to be selected highly are
and after 11 various injuries Penn State quarterback Kerry
Montana announced his Collins, USC offensive tackle
retirement at a downtown press Tony Boselli, and University of
conference held by the 49ers. Miami defensive tackle Warren
Sapp.
Another HOF?: Just as Joe
Montana announced his Legion of Doom: The
retirement from the Kansas City Philadelphia Flyers' starting line
Chiefs, another future hall of of Eric Lindros, John LeClair,
famer might join the Chiefs next and Michael Renberg •has
season. Reports say that safety becoming one of the most
Ronnie Lott might join the dominant scoring forces in the
Chiefs. Lott has played his NHL. Since the three have
career with San Francisco , L.A. played together, the Flyers went
Raiders and recently with the from sixth to first place in the
New York Jets. Atlantic division.
confidence in his performance.
"Besides being in shape, I fee
I'm an all around player. M
two-handed back hand is a plus.
can't contribute one thing as m
most powerful aspect,
Van Tassel said.
Every athlete has an area tha
could be improved Van Tasse
agreed, "I don't have any majo
weapons. I'd like to improve o
my ground stroke power an
work on having a powerful serve.
Michael Chang is my model, if
he can do it, so can I."
Teammate Brent Dias
commented on Van Tassel's
playing style.
"He's improved quite a bit
since last season. He has a kind
of unorthodox style of playing
which helps him to win
matches," explained Dias.
According to Coach Keenan
and Van Tassel's teammates
Van Tassel is the kind of playe
you can count on.
"He's the type of player that i
the match gets tight, we know
we can depend on him," stated
Dias.
Brant Suhrie agreed, "Karl is a
good player and he is playing
well above his potential."
As for the team as a whole,
Van Tassel said, "With a new
coach and a fairly new team,
we're as good as last season. I'd
like to see the team with an over
500 record. I'd like us to win and
have fun."
As for himself personally, he
wants to continue to play, "I still
have a couple of good years left
in me and tennis has been a good
experience for me."
Sports
Behrend still struggling
Collegian File Phob
Behind the plate: Behrend men as they hope to break
their current losing streak this afternoon.
by Brian Stadler
Collegian Staff
The diamond's been idle and your college career to end up.
Behrend has not played in two Being my senior year, it has been
weeks. For Coach Dan Perritano very frustrating not to play," said
and his players, the layoff has Gardner.
been very frustrating. Four doubleheaders were
The lone senior on this year's canceled due to the weather and
team, Tom Gardner, has really will not be made up. The Lions
felt the layoff.
"This is not the way you want
Thursday, April 20, 1995
have a full schedule of games
next week and games can not be
made up after April 30. Only
five doubleheaders remain.
The Lions lost a tough
doubleheader to SUNY-Fredonia
in their last game on April 5 and
needed to get back to the basics
of hitting and fielding for the
final games.
Lion hurler, Bob McLaren, has
also been frustrated by the lack of
games.
"We're taking it in stride and
doing the best we can but it has
been frustrating," stated McLaren.
McLaren agreed that the Lions
had not been scoring runs and
that Coach Perritano has given
them a lot of chance to hit during
the layoff.
Coach Perritano also agreed
with McLaren's assessment. "We
emphasized hitting the past
couple of weeks, and getting
comfortable at the plate."
Asked how he thought his
team would respond after the
layoff Coach Perritano replied,
"The adjustment will be mino. ,
the guys should be excited again
and motivated."
McLaren feels the team,
"learned a lot during the first part
of the season and that the team
should be better because of ii"
The Lions are scheduled to play
a doubleheader' today at
Westminster College starting at
1:00 p.m. As always, around
this area in April, weather
permitting.