Men's tennis posts best record in 11 years

At this time last year, he didn't know what his future had in store for him.
Through all the doubt, Norwich sophomore Collin Hyte paid no attention to the rumors he was hearing.

"They were just rumors. Nothing was written in stone at that point so I figured I had nothing to worry about," said Hyte, 19, a sophomore communications major from Marblehead, Mass.

Just like many colleges and universities around the country, Norwich was facing a tough financial decisions and considered cutting its tennis program. The 2008-09 season was up and down, yet ended up on a positive note and gave players and coaches something to look forward to.

"We struggled a bit last year, but we never gave up. We are a young team and I know good things will happen if we can keep this up," Hyte said.

The Norwich men's tennis team finished its 2009-10 season the best it has in 11 years, lead by Hyte who had a 9-0 singles record and 7-3 in doubles.

"Collin had an unbelievable sophomore season," Norwich head coach Kyle Dezotell was quoted on the Norwich athletics website. "His play drastically improved from last year, and his maturity and court presence was completely different. To go undefeated during the regular season at No. 1 singles is a great accomplishment."

"After not knowing if I was going to play for Norwich again, I worked hard all summer. I felt we were given a second chance, and you don't get many of those in life," Hyte said.

Along with Hyte, Fritz Kaelber was also undefeated with an 8-0 singles record and 8-1 in doubles this season. To go along with his stellar play, Kaelber was named GNAC "Rookie of the Year" as well as to the conference first team.

"Fritz was a pleasant surprise for our program this year," Dezotell said on the Norwich website. "From day one, he was incredibly consistent and steady. He has a game plan and sticks to it; he makes his opponents try to adjust to him. We will look for big things from him in the future."

The Cadets went into the playoffs in which its magical season came to an end at the hands of top ranked Suffolk University, 8-1.

Norwich's only points came when Kaelber defeated Suffolk's Chris Stale. Hyte suffered his first loss of the season to Suffolk's Diego Alvarado, and finished his second year with a 9-1 singles mark.

"I'm happy with the way this season went. I care about the individual accolades but you don't get recognized if your team is not doing well. Winning a championship is every athlete's goal, and even though we didn't win it this year we have great things to look forward to next season, which means as a team we have to work hard over the summer and step our game up," Hyte said.