Tennis News – Guilford Places Four on All-ODAC Squad

GUILFORD STUDENTS EARN ALL-CONFERENCE MEN’S TENNIS HONORS
Greensboro, N.C. — Guilford College placed four students on the Old Dominion Athletic Conference’s (ODAC) All-ODAC Men’s Tennis squad, league officials announced Monday. Senior Jose Ortiz (Carrboro, N.C./Chapel Hill), sophomore Alec Chase (Lemont, Pa./State College Area) and sophomore Will Mason-Deese (Manassas, Va./Osbourn Park) were named Second Team All-ODAC. Senior Caleb Kimbrough (Carrboro, N.C./Chapel Hill) received honorable mention recognition. The doubles tandems of Ortiz and Kimbrough and Chase and Mason-Deese received Second Team All-ODAC laurels.

Ortiz was honored for his play at first singles, where he posted a 5-10 record, 4-2 in league matches. One of his best wins was a 6-2, 7-5 triumph over fellow Second Team All-ODAC pick Hart Callahan of Roanoke. Ortiz also played first doubles for the Quakers and recorded a 5-11 record, 3-3 in league play. His combined (singles and doubles) record this year was 10-21, 7-5 in the ODAC.

Chase was acknowledged for his efforts at second singles. He finished with a 6-13 overall record, 5-4 in the ODAC. One of his best wins was a 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, triumph over Tariq Sheikh of regionally ranked Methodist University. Chase also played first doubles with Ortiz, Mason-Deese, and Kimbrough where he recorded a 4-9 record, and 5-3 in the ODAC.

Alec ChaseAlec Chase

Mason-Deese forged a 10-6 overall singles mark, 4-2 at fourth singles. With his teammate Chase, Mason-Deese posted a club-best 3-1 doubles record. He shared the team lead with nine overall doubles victories. A top win was a 6-1, 2-6, 6-4 decision over fellow Second Team All-ODAC pick Drew Rogers of Roanoke.

Will Mason-DeeseWill Mason-Deese

Kimbrough joined the team in March after helping the Quakers’ men’s basketball team to the NCAA Division III playoffs. Despite the late start, he jumped right into the lineup at third singles where he went 4-4 en route to his third career All-ODAC commendation. Kimbrough also recorded four doubles wins in 10 contests.

Caleb KimbroughCaleb Kimbrough

Ortiz, Chase, Mason-Deese, and Kimbrough helped first-year coach Eddie Luck’s team to a 10-9 overall record, 5-4 in the ODAC. The Quakers recorded their most wins since 1998 and reached the ODAC Tournament semifinals for the first time. With the loss of five seniors, Luck expects four letter winners back for the 2008-09 season.

Jose OrtizJose Ortiz