Head Coach Rick Gyllenborg, who is in his 15th season as men’s coach and ninth season as women’s coach, has coached a total of 22 all-conference players, three Freshmen of the Year and one Player of the Year selections. He has also coached 36 academic all-conference selections and UM-St. Louis’ first ever GLVC Scholar Athlete of the Year. He also has recruited a number of valuable international players.
Gyllenborg has put together a strong women’s team which will be able to step up to the competition this year.
“Increased scholarship dollars and quality players on the women’s side has created one of the best, if not the best teams, I have had,” Gyllenborg said.
Leading the Triton women’s team back to the court this spring will be Pujitha Bandi, sophomore, business. Bandi is an international transfer from India and was an all conference player for the Tritons last season.
Upperclassmen Stephanie Thompson, senior, international business and Aya Gombo, junior, accounting, are two additional star players that will lead the talented women’s team.
The women’s teams have yet to make it to the tournament.
“We hope this is a breakout season,” Gyllenborg said.
Other players expected to make an impact for the Triton women this year include: Annie Gonzalez, junior, business administration; Cassandra Maerz, junior, nursing; Yuki Takashima, junior, accounting; Leticia Garcia, sophomore, information systems; Katie Rynkiewich, anthropology; and Kristiana Lazarova, freshman, nursing.
The men’s team is coming off an unsuccessful previous season has made some changes and will strive to turn things around.
Andreas Hammas, freshman, undecided, is an international player from Sweden who showed some promising skills in a spring match at Saint Louis University.
A number of other newcomers hope to bring some fresh energy to the UM-St. Louis men’s team. Those players include: Karl Antwi Adjei, freshman, business; Felipe Naranjo, freshman, international business; and Jamie Lawlor, junior, civil engineering.
Returning for the Tritons this year are Daniel Anthony, junior, management information systems; Alex Cherman, junior, international business; and Tim Bryant, junior, accounting.
“The everyday goal is to make the conference tournament, but the higher goal and bigger prize is to make the national tournament,” Coach Gyllenborg said.
With eyes focused on the national tournament this season, the men’s and women’s teams are looking to be a threat in their conference and amongst teams of all divisions.
Both Triton tennis teams will begin spring play with neutral site events throughout the month of February.
Then in March, the women’s team will play in match play events at Missouri Western on March 12, and at Northwest Missouri State on March 13, before competing in their first home match of the season on March 19 against Nebraska-Kearney.