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Tennis (M)
Story
04/24/2009 - TROJANS WIN 8TH CONFERENCE TENNIS TITLE IN 9 YEARS Philip Pakebusch did not win his second straight player of the year in the conference, but he led AU to its sixth straight tourney title.
Only two teams have consistently competed for that championship. Anderson University and Lees-McRae College are far and away the class of the league over that stretch, and that fact was exclamated on Sunday when the two teams met in the title game for the eighth time in the decade.Since 2001, only one other school has competed in the tournament final; Barton fell to Anderson in 2005.
Trojan head coach, Joey Eskridge, who is in his first year--only his second month--led his team through a season full of rainouts, cancellations, and an unprecedented 6 losses, but Eskridge never lost hope.
"We did it; I am just so proud, and so thankful," said coach Eskridge. "There is something to be said for hanging in, and for battling; my guys finished the job, it feels good, real good."
As the Trojans all prepare to enter competition in the South Atlantic Conference beginning in the 2010-11 season, This title marks a milestone for a program with a rich history. Anderson University has seen many tennis greats pound the courts now named for the late coach, Max Grubbs. Those players have played at all levels: NJCAA, when Anderson College was just a two year JuCo, NAIA, in its early years as a co-ed four-year institution, and now NCAA Division II. Coach Eskridge and his young AU team have done a proud program a great service in continuing a long tradition.
After losing player of the year honors to Lees-McRae's Nandor Salymosi, Philip Pakebusch simply went out on Sunday and beat Nalymosi en route to another Trojan title. Stephane Murray continued his dominance at the number two spot, as the freshman of the year candidate remained undefeated in Conference Carolinas singles competition. Pakebusch, Murray, and Renato Assuncao were named to the all-tournament team; Pakebusch was named tournament MVP.
Next, the Trojans will try to make a run in the NCAA regionals, where the team has a new kind of proving ground, as they have not beaten a top 15 ITA team year.
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