June 27, 2006

PHILADELPHIA - Keyed by a record-setting quartet of seniors and the influx of a heralded group of newcomers, the Saint Joseph's men's tennis team continued to establish its position among the East's top program's in 2006.

The veteran group of Antonio Aniello, Jimmy Holland, A.J. Garabedian and Chris Spencer played an integral role in the resurgence of the SJU program, securing their position among the winningest players in program history, and were the catalysts for SJU.

The versatile Aniello concluded his career with more wins (73) then any player to ever don the Crimson and Gray. As a senior, he finished second on the team in singles victories (18), playing regularly between the fourth, fifth and sixth slots. He also teamed with Holland at number one singles, posting a 17-11 mark.

Holland rebounded from an injury plagued junior season to capture All-Atlantic 10 Conference honors for the second time. The lanky left-hander held down both the number one singles and doubles positions.

Two other seniors Chris Spencer and A.J. Garabedian also closed out impressive careers. Spencer regularly played third singles and finished with the third most singles wins (63) in Hawk history. He also paired with freshman Pat Adams to post a 11-4 record at third doubles. Garabedian, meanwhile split time between third and fifth singles. He teamed with freshman Phil Bayliss to notch a team-best 19-10 mark mostly at second doubles, reaching the semifinals in the "B" Flight at the Princeton Invitational. He finished his career with more doubles victories than any player in Hawks history.

Among the newcomers Bayliss and Adams both lived up to their high expectations. Seeing most of his time at fifth singles, Bayliss topped the team in victories with 21 and also led with 20 doubles wins. He reached the semifinals of the "B" Flight singles draw at Princeton, in addition to advancing to the semis in doubles. Adams, projected as a top of the lineup performer, flashed his immense skills eventually settling in at number four singles. He wrapped up the season third on the team in singles wins (17).

Two other newcomers, sophomore transfer Phil Garabedian and freshman Brent Kahl also got a couple of turns in the regular lineup.

As a team, the Crimson and Gray delivered impressive results. They knocked off Dartmouth en route to a 12th place finish at the ECAC Championships at the US National Tennis Center. They also earned a bye and a school-best third seed at the Atlantic 10 Championships before being ousted by eventual A-10 Champion and NCAA Tournament qualifier Richmond and settling for a seventh place finish. At the Swarthmore Invitational, SJU won all five singles flight titles, including wins by Holland, Aniello, Spencer, Fred Duncan and Kahl; and both doubles flight crowns.

The Saint Joseph's men's tennis team said good-bye to a quartet of talented seniors in 2006 that played an integral role in reestablishing SJU among the top programs in the East. This record setting group concluded their careers among the winningest players in Hawk history, but more importantly, coupled with the development of a dynamic group of underclassmen, they positioned the Crimson and Gray for even greater success in the near future.