LEXINGTON, Ky. ? The University of Kentucky men?s tennis team announced its team captain selections for the 2008-09 season Friday. Three rising seniors were chosen to lead the Wildcats next year: Bruno Agostinelli, Shane Collins and Kyle Virgin.
UK head coach Dennis Emery believes each senior will portray his own unique leadership style both on and off the court for the Cats who finished 2008 at No. 40 in the final Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) team rankings. That ranking continued a streak of UK being among the top-60 teams in the nation at the end of the season for the 25th consecutive year, all under the direction of Emery.
Agostinelli had his best season as a Wildcat in 2007-08, ending the year ranked among the top-30 in both singles and doubles. The All-SEC first team selection finished his junior season ranked No. 28 in singles while he and doubles partner Brad Cox ended the year in the 27th slot nationally. The Niagara Falls, Canada, native played in both the NCAA Singles and Doubles Championships after leading the Cats back to the Team Championships where he played both No. 1 singles and doubles.
“Bruno is a quiet leader on the court and has improved his singles and doubles games every year,? said Emery. ?I anticipate him to be someone who is able to help younger players develop in his role as captain.”
Collins stepped into a consistent starting role in singles and doubles last season. The rising senior from Louisville went undefeated in his first four singles matches of the regular season to cement his place in the Wildcat line-up. Collins played primarily in the No. 5 singles slot while pairing with freshman Will Beck at the No. 2 doubles position.
“Shane has come a long way from his freshman year, now playing in the top six of our line-up,? said Emery. ?He plays with a lot of fire and will really be able to help the program in his position as captain.”
Virgin has battled injuries throughout his UK career since arriving in Lexington during the 2006 season after a brief stint at Western Kentucky. As a result, the Ashland, Ky., native has only played in 18 career singles matches as a Wildcat. Last season, Virgin won both doubles contests that he appeared in against Toledo and Murray State.
?Kyle has been one of the best team players, despite being hampered by injuries,? said Emery. ?He is a natural leader and despite his personal setbacks he has found ways to make a huge impact on the team.”
The 2008-09 Cats will begin tournament action later this fall. The three senior leaders will guide a young Wildcat team with more underclassmen than veterans. Last winter, TennisRecruiting.net ranked Kentucky?s incoming freshman class among the top five in the country.
Stay tuned to UKathletics.com for pre-season men?s tennis updates.
