Providence College Athletics
1998-99 Men's Tennis Preview
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
August 22, 1998
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Every year college coaches face the task of rebuilding after losing key players to graduation. This season Head Coach Carl LaBranche has the unique situation of having to fill the voids left by the loss of two of the top players to ever compete for the Friars. Dylan Williams, who compiled an 81-33 record in four years for PC in the No. 1 singles spot, and the Friars' all-time winningest singles player Felipe Vivar (111-27), both concluded their stellar careers at Providence in 1998. Williams and Vivar were major factors in helping the Friars earn three consecutive third-place finishes behind Notre Dame and Miami at the last three BIG EAST championships. Despite the losses of Williams and Vivar, LaBrache is very optimistic about the Friar fortunes in 1998-99. He knows the team will not be as strong in the top three spots, but he believes the squad will have excellent depth and the ability to compete in all six singles spots. "Although we have some holes to fill this season, the team will be as strong as ever at the bottom of the lineup," LaBranche said. "We are not going to back off as is evident by the fact that we are playing another challenging schedule. The team was invited back to the ECAC Championship, which shows that the Friars are still respected as one of the top 16 teams in Region I." One of the main reasons for LaBranche's optimism is the return of senior Jamie Williams (Middlesex, England). Jamie Williams, the younger brother of Dylan Williams, will now play solely in the No. 1 singles spot. In his first three seasons, he compiled a 70-33 singles mark while alternating between the No. 1 and No. 2 singles spots with his brother. Last year, Williams posted a 17-11 singles mark and reached the quarterfinals at the prestigious Rolex Championship. He also was ranked as high as 25th in Region I in singles and fourth in doubles. Freshman Steve Prisco (Dedham, Mass.) and sophomore Dennis Fabian (Nowalk, Conn.) will battle for the No. 2 and 3 singles positions. Prisco comes to Providence College as the highest ranking U.S. recruit that LaBranche has ever landed. He has been ranked in the top 100 in the country and in the top five in New England. In his four seasons at St. Sebastian's, Prisco posted a nearly perfect record of 107 wins, zero losses and seven ties. He was named the MVP of the Independent School League in 1997 and earned 1997 Boston Globe All-Scholastic honors. Fabian had a strong freshman season for the Friars. He recorded an 18-11 singles mark, playing primarily in the No. 4 spot. Fabian is an excellent athlete who will continue to improve as he gains more experience. Challenging for the team's 4, 5 and 6 spots will be sophomore Keith Dressler (Cranston, R.I.), senior Chris Wolken (Clayton, Mo.) and sophomore Chris Riccobono (Franklin Lakes, N.J.). Dressler, who is returning from an injury, recorded a 9-7 singles mark in the No. 5 and 6 singles spots. He is capable of playing at any position. Wolken brings a strong serve and a excellent forehand to the lineup for the Friars. In three seasons at Providence, he has posted a 45-37 singles mark. Wolken also is one of the team's top doubles player, having recorded a 55-19 career record. Riccobono saw action in the No. 4, 5 and 6 singles positions last year. He had a strong rookie season, recording an 8-6 mark. After gaining a year of experience, he should help the team this season. Seniors John Moog (Williamsville, N.Y.), John Poloski (Warwick, R.I.) and Clemente Tamariz (Cuenca, Ecuador) all return for their final campaign with the Friars. Moog, who posted a 13-5 doubles mark last year with Chris Wolken, could push for the top doubles spot. With three seasons of experience and a strong serve, Moog will help the team this season. Poloski, who joined the team as a walk-on during his sophomore year, and Tamariz showed promise at the end of their junior year and each could be factor this season for the Friars. Newcomers Chris Overzat (New Rochelle, N.Y.), Anthony Mitchell (Bronxville, N.Y.) and Matthew Jarvis (Fairhaven, Mass.) all will add depth to the team this season. Mitchell and Overzat played doubles together at Fordham Prep. and have an opportunity to help the squad in doubles action. Head Coach Carl LaBranche is optimistic about the Friars chances for success this season. Although the team has several holes to fill in the lineup, the Friars have excellent depth and talented players at all positions. Led by senior Jamie Williams, the Friars will push for their fourth consecutive top three finish at the BIG EAST Championship in 1999.
