Super freshmen brighten future for Men's Tennis

A men's tennis team that went 14-10 last year is now sitting pretty at 15-5. One of the reasons for the remarkable improvement is the tremendous impact of the seven members comprising one of the strongest freshman classes in Penn tennis history. Along with talent and experience, coach Gene Miller looked for character and good values as he set out to build his team into a force in the East. By combining this new talent with the already strong returning team members, Miller has created a deep lineup with great athletes in every slot. Playing at No. 3 singles is freshman Marc Fisicaro from Blackwood, N.J. As well as compiling a 112-7 record in high school and earning all-State and all-American honors, Fisicaro was a three-time New Jersey Player of the year. Described by Miller as "a great baseliner who is developing an all-court game," Fisicaro has a 21-10 overall record so far this year. Like Fisicaro, David Graziani from Dix Hills, N.Y., immediately found himself in the starting lineup at No. 4. After being ranked in the top 50 nationally in the USTA in the Boys 16-and-under and 18-and-under, Graziani reached the New York state finals last year. Miller describes Graziani's play as "Sampras style," with a good all-court game and an aggressive attitude. Graziani has also had success playing regularly at No.1 doubles with captain Neil Aaronson. While others talk about academics, the quality of the program and Miller as factors drawing them to Penn, Graziani cites "a great recruiting trip with Neil" as his primary reason for coming here. Other regular members of the varsity lineup in the freshman class are Brian O'Grady, Joel Silman and Ian Enverga. O'Grady, from Tempe, Ariz., was ranked first in the Southwest sectional of the USTA. A baseliner who is also developing an all-court game, O'Grady's strength is his two-handed backhand. Silman, a transfer student who spent last year at the University of Michigan, made it to the semifinals of the USTA national junior championships. Although he occasionally plays singles, Silman is a doubles specialist with a great kick serve. Enverga, from Copiague, N.Y., also had an impressive career in the juniors, ranking 33rd nationally at the age of 16. "He has great athleticism and an awesome forehand," Miller said. Dan Chen from Kailua, Hawaii, and Joe Conley from Floyd's Nobb, Ind., round out this group. Chen, whose strengths are his volleying and two-handed backhand, was described by Miller as "a great athlete who moves well on the court." Conley's weapons are his serve and his forehand. "He's very sound technically, with no real weaknesses," Miller said. These players concentrated on individual successes in their junior careers, but now they have to adjust to the pressures of college tennis. "College tennis is a lot more intense, but it's also a lot more fun," Fisicaro said. "The team is great, and we're always pushing each other so everybody improves." Now surrounded by many other players of equal ability, the freshmen relish the chance to practice against such high caliber competition. As members of a close-knit team, they rely on each other for support during tough matches. "When you have five guys cheering for you, it really elevates your game," Graziani said. The combination of tougher competition and increased support have resulted in improvement by each new member of the team. And as time goes by, they are only going to get better.