1st feature will go to...
The Florida State Seminoles
Last year: FSU's season ended in heartbreaking fashion with a 4-3 loss to UGA in Athens. They could have pulled a big upset and spoiled UGA's NCAA party. They held a 3-1 lead but fell in the end.
Top players:
Vahid Mizradeh
Vahid Mizradeh: Currently ranked 26. The Senior form Wellingotn,FL is a suprememly talented player and knows this is his year. He has the talent to climb into the top 15. Very entertaining player to watch.
Key wins for this year: def 91 Ed Corrie(Texas) 6-1 6-0, def. 9 Lacroix(Florida) 7-5 2-6 6-4, def 16 Nguyen(USC) 7-6(5) 5-7 (10-7)
Worst loss: defeated by 53 Jung(Michigan) 6-3 6-0
Clint Bowles: Ranked 62, Bowles is a senior from Tampa,FL. He is a very string #2 player and has had a ton of success in his career at FSU.
Key wins: def 35 Spir(GT) 6-3 6-4, def 43 Bangoura Jr.(Florida) 6-3 6-2
worst loss: defeated by 83 de Villiers(Fresno State) 7-5 6-3
Team overview
Strengths: Postitions 1 and 2. They were victorious at positions 1 and 2 vs both Texas and Florida. Mizradeh and Bowles are as strong of a top 2 as anyone in the country. They can beat anyone. The swept both from Florida who has a strong top 2 themselves.
weaknesses: positions 3,5,6: After the top 2 there is a substantial drop off on this team. The likes of Reed,Bucaro,Smith and Kelly-Houston are not up to par with other contendors.
also this team may be snake-bitten. They have now lost 3 matches by heartbreaking 4-3 scores. It may be in their head now. Can't quite break through.
Doubles is also not the teams strong point
key to the season: Blake Davis. The young freshman blue chip from Austin,TX will need to grow up fast this season. This is the last year of Mizradeh and Bowles so this is the year that FSU must make their move. Davis is talented. What this team needs is a solid #3 player who can challenge top players and be a consistent win. The top 2 are very strong but more is needed. So far this season Davis has played at position #4 and had a few big wins, like blanking Ben Chen of Texas 6-0 6-0. Blake Davis could very well be the key to trun a 4-3 loss into a 4-3 win.
Expectations: This team could make a run in the NCAA's based on their top 2. They are better outdoors so that will help them once the season gets going. They have the potential to be #2 in the ACC if they can get more production from 4-6. At best they can make the Elite 8 if they get a good draw. At worst they will be be in the 25-35 range.
next time on Team Spotlights... Texas Tech.