July 25, 2012
Bluffton University welcomed tennis back to campus in 2011 following a two-year absence. Head Coach Ron Huber, a member of the athletics halls of fame at both the university and Shawnee High School in Lima, Ohio, returns for his second year at the helm.
With five returners and a pair of incoming freshman, the Beavers will use the experience they gained a year ago as they continue cementing the foundation that Coach Huber is building. All five letterwinners saw extensive court time in 2011, giving Coach Huber and his team confidence as they approach the upcoming season. The newcomers will find themselves in the mix right away and how they adapt to the speed of the collegiate game will determine how competitive the 2012 edition of Bluffton women’s tennis is.
The lone senior returning for the Beavers is Melissa Hostetler (Goshen, Ind./Goshen) who competed at No. 2 singles and No. 1 doubles last year. No. 5 singles Ashley Jones (Fayette/Evergreen) is the only junior on the roster. Three sophomores form the core of the 2012 squad, including No. 1 singles Caitlin Nearhood (Clyde), No. 3 doubles Tyler Jennings (Archbold) and No. 4 singles Alex Fox (Berne, Ind./South Adams). Freshmen Andrea Martinez (Celina) and Marissa Radigan (Berea) both competed for solid high school programs.
Bluffton opens the season when it hosts Huntington University on Aug. 30. The conference lidlifter is also at Bluffton as the Beavers host Rose-Hulman on Saturday, Sept. 8. An Oct. 3 matchup with Defiance College will mark the first time Bluffton has hosted the rival Yellow Jackets in women’s tennis since 2006.
