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2012-13 Media Guide
Saluki Men’s Tennis
Season Outlook
The Southern Illinois University men’s tennis team will
look for senior leadership this season as the Salukis hunt
for the 2013 Missouri Valley Conference title.
The Salukis return seven players from the 2011-2012
season, including seniors Brandon Florez,Badr Cherradi
and Orhan Spahic. The trio combined for 28 match
wins last season. Head coach Dann Nelson looks for
continued success from the seniors.
“These guys have been through the battle of college
tennis and really understand the game,” Nelson said. “I
am expecting great senior leadership and for them to be
the rock of the team.”
Senior team captain Brandon Florez will look to cap
off his career as a Saluki in a winning fashion. The
McKinney, Texas, native has consistently played in the
No. 1 doubles spot during his time at Southern Illinois
and will look to improve upon his 10-18 record from
the 2011-12 campaign.
Fellow senior Badr Cherradi has the ability to be an
impact player this year after posting a record of 12-17
last season.
Behind the seniors are a solid group of players including
redshirt sophomore Jorge Cavero, who will be returning
to the court after sustaining a season-ending injury last
fall. The 2011 Missouri Valley Conference Freshman of
the Year will add depth to the top of the Saluki line-up.
SIU adds one newcomer to the roster this season, Jonny
Rigby, a freshman from Lancashire, England. Rigby
played tennis at Winstanley High School and was the
No. 1 singles player in Lancashire County and the
No. 6 singles player in all of England in the under-18
division.
The Salukis finished the 2011-2012 season with an
overall record of 9-13 and 2-3 in the MVC. SIU finished
tied for third in the Valley.
Southern will kick-off their spring season with a tough
schedule to fine-tune their skills before entering MVC
play.
“We start with a difficult schedule to really prepare
ourselves for Valley play,” said Nelson. “This season we
are really going to need to improve every match to be
competitive in the MVC.There are some great teams in
this conference.”
The team will open the 2013 spring season competing
in the MVC Individual Tournament before playing
regional opponents such as Wisconsin, Saint Louis and
Memphis. MVC play will begin on March 23 when
SIU welcomes the Bluejays of Creighton. Conference
championships will be held April 26-28 at Wichita
State.
Senior Brandon Florez
Sophomore Jorge Cavero