2003 Miracle Yearbook

David Dice, a leading player in singles and doubles, hits the ball back across the net. While hosting the NAIA Regional Tournament,the men's tennis team breezed through the first two rounds beating Tiffin, who defaulted, and Roberts Wesleyan. The Roberts Wesleyan victory marked the ninth time Cedarville blanked an opponent this season. In the finals, the Jackets came up just short to the defending champions in a 5-4 loss to Walsh. Victor Puhy,Ted Berry, Gertjan Flikweert, Matt Michonski,and Dave Dice all picked up wins in the tough match. Three days later, the team competed in the NCCAA National Tournament where they came in seeded fifth. After dropping two matches to the top two seeds, Indiana Wesleyan and North Greenville, the Jackets squared off with Piedmont. Earlier in the season,Piedmont had shut down Cedarville 0-7, but the Jackets were able tojump out to an early 2-1 lead off of wins from second and third doubles,as well as third singles. In the end,Piedmont barely pulled it out taking four of the singles matches to win 5-4. Junior Dave Dice commented on this match and the playoffs saying,"The highlight of this season was definitely the post-season play. I'll never forget at the NCC,AA National Tournament stepping off the court after curfew at 12:10 in the morning!" The team ended the year with a win,defeating Spring Arbor 5-1. The Jackets finished with a record of 15-13. Coach Alan Edlund said the team was constantly improving and playing their best tennis at the end of the season. Ifthey could have kept playing into the summer,they would have slaughtered the competition. Dave Dice,Tim Hartman,and Gertjan Flikweert were all named NCCAA All Americans,as well as named to the American Mideast Conference team. With the loss ofone senior, and the development of the young freshmen,the team is looking for continued improvement throughout next year as well. SERVING UP A STORM