Spring Break
Robin Fahgen leads underdog men's tennis team
Chris Dell, Staff Writer, cdell@smu.edu
Issue date: 5/2/08 Section: Sports
During that stretch, Fahgen was switched from the No. 1 spot to No. 2. He started the season at No. 2, but was quickly bumped up after beating the No. 24 singles player in the country, Texas' Kellen Damico, in three sets.
At first, Fahgen was able to maintain his momentum at No. 1. He blew past Notre Dame's Brett Helgeson, the No. 11 singles player, in early February. Fahgen won his first four matches at No. 1, finally falling on Feb. 15 to Arkansas-Little Rock's Rain Roigas in three sets.
Fahgen would slip to a 2-4 record in the Mustangs' next six matches, with all four losses coming to ranked teams. Neufeld promoted senior David Kuczer to No. 1 and placed Fahgen back in the No. 2 role, where he got back to his winning ways.
Fahgen said the team gained confidence after the change, which helped him to get back on track.
"We have really good players from [spots] one through six," said Fahgen. "When some people play bad, the rest of the team steps up."
Fahgen missed the Mustangs' final loss of the season to No. 16 Baylor on March 27 because of an injury. The Bears are hosting the tournament's first round and likely would be the Mustangs' second-round matchup if they get by Texas A&M.
"We've been finishing off the season really, really well," said Fahgen. "I have no doubt that we can win."
Fahgen may have a few more attempts at a postseason crown, but that isn't the case for the rest of the Mustangs' roster, which features five seniors in the six singles spots.
Kuczer remains at No. 1 and teams with Fahgen in No. 1 doubles. Alex Skrypko hasn't lost since the beginning of March, but he will have his hands full at No. 3 singles. Texas A&M's Austin Krajicek is the Big 12 Co-Freshman of the Year and boasts a 15-6 record. No. 4 Oivind Alver, No. 5 Adolfo Solares and No. 6 Chris Hooshyar will also be fighting to extend their careers next weekend.
The Mustangs' last dance was a short one. They fell to Louisville in the tournament's first round in 2006. SMU last made the tournament's Final Four in 2001, when Brunstrom and teammate Jon Wallmark guided the team to the semifinals before being bitten by the Georgia Bulldogs.
At first, Fahgen was able to maintain his momentum at No. 1. He blew past Notre Dame's Brett Helgeson, the No. 11 singles player, in early February. Fahgen won his first four matches at No. 1, finally falling on Feb. 15 to Arkansas-Little Rock's Rain Roigas in three sets.
Fahgen would slip to a 2-4 record in the Mustangs' next six matches, with all four losses coming to ranked teams. Neufeld promoted senior David Kuczer to No. 1 and placed Fahgen back in the No. 2 role, where he got back to his winning ways.
Fahgen said the team gained confidence after the change, which helped him to get back on track.
"We have really good players from [spots] one through six," said Fahgen. "When some people play bad, the rest of the team steps up."
Fahgen missed the Mustangs' final loss of the season to No. 16 Baylor on March 27 because of an injury. The Bears are hosting the tournament's first round and likely would be the Mustangs' second-round matchup if they get by Texas A&M.
"We've been finishing off the season really, really well," said Fahgen. "I have no doubt that we can win."
Fahgen may have a few more attempts at a postseason crown, but that isn't the case for the rest of the Mustangs' roster, which features five seniors in the six singles spots.
Kuczer remains at No. 1 and teams with Fahgen in No. 1 doubles. Alex Skrypko hasn't lost since the beginning of March, but he will have his hands full at No. 3 singles. Texas A&M's Austin Krajicek is the Big 12 Co-Freshman of the Year and boasts a 15-6 record. No. 4 Oivind Alver, No. 5 Adolfo Solares and No. 6 Chris Hooshyar will also be fighting to extend their careers next weekend.
The Mustangs' last dance was a short one. They fell to Louisville in the tournament's first round in 2006. SMU last made the tournament's Final Four in 2001, when Brunstrom and teammate Jon Wallmark guided the team to the semifinals before being bitten by the Georgia Bulldogs.
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