Sept. 30, 2010

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford University men's tennis team will continue play in its 2010 fall schedule this weekend as the Bulldogs travel to Chattanooga, Tenn., for the prestigious 27th Annual UTC Steve Baras Fall Classic Tennis Tournament being held at the Champions Club.

Over 120 of the top collegiate tennis players in the region will make their way to the Scenic City for the three-day competition. A total of 18 teams and 13 schools will be represented at the Champions Club in Chattanooga from Friday-Sunday, Oct. 1-3.

The tournament's field will include participants from 10 schools, including Eastern Kentucky, East Tennessee State, Jacksonville State, Kennesaw State, Lee University, Memphis, North Alabama, Samford, Tennessee Tech and UNC Greensboro.

Samford heads into the 2010-11 campaign boasting its largest roster in school history. The Bulldogs enter the season with 15 players on its roster, including eight upperclassmen. Samford's senior class this year will be comprised of Carl Abalos, Oliver Reynolds and Adam Witcher, while the junior class includes Michael Browder, Joe Hunsicker, Carson Kadi, Mark Lange and Ryan Shidler.

This year's sophomore class will include the following student-athletes: Zac Dunkle, John Flaniken, Scott Foster and Auburn transfer Alexander Sajonz, while the Bulldogs' true freshmen on the 2010-11 roster include highly-touted recruits Garrison Laduca, Alex Rudd and Taylor Wells.

The UTC Steve Baras Fall Classic Tennis Tournament and the Steve Baras Memorial Endowment Fund both provide financial assistance to young men and women who are seeking an education in the UTC School of Business and are members of the Mocs' tennis teams. The student-athlete must demonstrate prowess on the tennis court, as well as academic success, leadership skills in University programs and community involvement.

This weekend's action will also serve as a dress rehearsal for the 2011 Southern Conference Championships. The Mocs are hosting the SoCon men's and women's tennis tournaments at the Champions Club on April 20-23, 2011.

Following this weekend's tournament held in Chattanooga, Tenn., the Samford men's tennis team will next be in action Oct. 22-24, as the Bulldogs are scheduled to participate in the 2010 ITA South Regional to be held at the University of Alabama Tennis Complex held in Tuscaloosa, Ala.