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TENNIS NEWS |
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OFFICE OF SPORTS INFORMATION Sports Release May 5, 2008 LMU Hires Collins As New Tennis Coach HARROGATE, TN – Only weeks after announcing the resignation of outgoing tennis coach Lisa-Marie Lewallen, Lincoln Memorial University athletics personnel officially announced on Monday the hiring of Benny Collins as the University’s new men’s and women’s tennis coach. A native of nearby Middlesboro, Kentucky, Collins has served as head coach at Middlesboro High School since the spring 2000 season, tallying an overall record of 153-18 with the girls program which includes five regional titles and three regional runners-up honors. With the Yellow Jacket boys program, Collins has amassed a record of 109-37 since the 2000 season and was regional runner-up with the program two times. “I’m excited to take over the LMU tennis programs,” said Collins. “The University is building a new tennis facility and will soon build an indoor facility in the future. With these facilities in place and the growth of the University, Lincoln Memorial tennis should get back on the national map in the near future.” Collins takes the helm of two collegiate tennis programs that both made the South Atlantic Conference Tournament final-four in 2008. The Lady Railsplitters finished the 2008 season with a record of 8-9, including a 4-3 conference record, while the Railsplitters were 4-11 this season and went 1-6 in the conference. “The men’s program returns an All-South Atlantic Conference performer in Hannes Ganss (Erlangen, Germany) who was undefeated last year and named LMU Male Newcomer of the Year,” says Collins. “Also returning is No. 2 Bastian Guenther (Erlangen, Germany) who only lost two singles matches last season. These two young men will be the nucleus of the men’s program next year.” The Lady Railsplitters lost three seniors following the 2008 season, including South Atlantic Conference Player of the Year Kathleen Rollet (Bougé Chambalud, France). “The Ladies program will have to recruit a new No. 1 and a No. 3 player to challenge for the conference championship,” stated Collins. “Last year’s No. 2 player, Martina Rezic (Pula, Croatia) will give us a lot of leadership and could possibly play at the No. 1 position if needed. While Collins officially took over the helm of the programs last week, his first season as head coach of the LMU tennis programs won’t begin until the fall when the two teams play a limited fall schedule. Presently Collins in fulfilling his duties with the Middlesboro High School tennis programs as they prepare for the upcoming regional tournament that will be held in Whitley County Kentucky. -LMU- For additional
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