Greg Kennett enters his fifth season as head coach of the Illinois State mens tennis team this weekend staring a career milestone directly in the eye. When the Redbirds open their season against Eastern Illinois on Friday at the Evergreen Racquet Club, in Bloomington, Kennett will be looking to earn his 100th career coaching win.
Its great to think that we have been able to be that successful here, Kennett said. But I am really more excited about getting the season started.
Kennett certainly has something to be excited about this year, as the Redbirds will field one of the strongest teams from the top to the bottom of the order in program history.
The lineup will most likely be led by Ben Cappuccitti, who held down the No. 1 position for much of the spring season last year. The Birds also bring back the No. 1 doubles team in the Missouri Valley Conference last year in Ben Pettinari and Djordje Uskokovic.
Although Cappuccitti,Pettinari, and Uskkovic will be able to bring a lot of experience to the team, six newcomers look to provide enough talent to win the first Valley championship and NCAA berth in program history.
For the first time in my five years here, I feel that good about all nine of our players on the team, Kennett said. The hardest part of my job this year will be deciding who is going to play.
The Birds will face Eastern Illinois Friday, at 7 p.m. at the Evergreen Racquet Club, in Bloomington, Ill.
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