BABSON PARK, FL – The Warriors tennis team is working hard in preparation for the 2012 season. Coach Bill Heath welcomed a large contingent of player to practice and is pleased with the progress of the team. The Warriors have a lot of depth this year, with 15 players on the squad. Webber International also fields a Jr. Varsity Squad.

“We have some good returning players and some very good new players which will have positive impact of the team,” stated Heath. Returning to the Warriors this year is Heath's son, Tyler. He missed last season, due to surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff and a torn labrum. Tyler was granted a medical hardship by the NAIA, for last season, and returns to the squad as a sophomore. “Tyler does not have the serve he used to have, but he has been solid in the practice and conditioning sessions.

Seniors returning for the Warriors are Joonas Jalkanen, from Finland; Andres Riobueno, from Venezula. Both of the seniors will see a lot of action this year for the Warriors, according to Heath. Returning Juniors are Marcel Schmitt, from Germany; Gustavo Maeso, from Uruguay; and Alwin Leysner, from Aruba. Maeso is out with an injury and may return to action by late February. Schmitt has been a stalwart in the Warriors line-up the past two seasons and is expected to be again this year. Last season Leysner went 17-1 in singles play and is expected to see significant play this year.

The two sophomore's returning are Heath and Santiago Martinez, from Colombia. Martinez made tremendous strides last year and did see action in the latter part of the season.

Newcomers are many and they will be a big part of the team in 2012. They are: Carl Ackered, freshman from Sweden; Valintin Bayh, freshman from Spain; Omar Quesada, freshman from Venezuela; Milo Quiroz, sophomore from Chile; Daniel Spurny, freshman from Germany; and Elias Zaghra, freshman from Germany.

According to Assistant Coach, Robert Hollis “Coach Heath recruited well for our team and with the amount of talent that we have, it has been difficult to sort out a line-up, good news is, with our depth, we do have options.” Added Hollis, “I have been very impressed with Coach Brian Binkley, our Strength and Conditioning Coach, as he has been providing our players with incredible conditioning drills and he is well respected by our team members.” Hollis is in his first year as assistant tennis coach at Webber International.

The Warriors open their season on Friday, February 3^rd, on the Campus Courts of WIU, in Babson Park. The Warriors will entertain Florida Southern College in a 2:00 p.m. start.

For more information on Webber Tennis, go to www.webberathletics.com and click men's tennis. Admission to all WIU tennis matches is free.