DC Men’s Tennis Places Trio on HCAC Watch List

GREENWOOD, Ind. – The Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference recently announced its 2011 Men's Tennis Preseason Watch List. The Yellow Jackets placed Will Draur, Trevor Ault and Mike Ross among the 35 student-athletes to be recognized with the preseason honor.

Defiance won eight of its last 13 matches one year ago and finished tied for second place in the HCAC standings with a 5-2 clip. The 2011 roster returns four starters from that team, including the No. 1 and No. 4 singles performers in Draur and Ault. Ross is expected to be a key addition to the lineup, joining the junior tandem of Draur and Ault to lead the Jackets.

Draur was named All-HCAC during his first season with Defiance, after holding down the top singles and doubles positions throughout much of the year. The Toledo, Ohio native went 7-7 at No. 1 singles and posted an overall mark of 21-15. Draur hit his stride in league competition, posting a 4-1 record in singles action and a 5-2 clip in doubles play.

Ault became a two-time All-HCAC selection, after turning in his second unblemished season in HCAC singles play in his two years with Defiance. The rising junior posted a 6-0 mark at No. 4 singles in league play and now boasts a 14-0 career record in HCAC singles competitions. The Oregon, Ohio native logged an overall record of 25-11 and led the team with 13 singles wins.

Ross will join the Jackets from Bryan High, after leading the Golden Bears to the Ohio State Tournament Semifinals. Ross was named all-district during his senior prep campaign and was the team's two-time Most Valuable Player.

As a team, Defiance was picked seventh in the HCAC's Preseason Poll. The Jackets garnered 35 points in the poll to finish ahead of MSJ (18) and Manchester (15). Transylvania was a unanimous selection to repeat as league champions with 81 points, while Rose-Hulman (62), Earlham (56), Hanover (53), Franklin (46) and Anderson (39) closed out the top six.

DC will open its 2011 campaign on February 19 with a match at Baldwin-Wallace at 1:00 pm.