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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The men's and women's tennis teams each made it through their first season last year and both are looking for bigger and better things in 2010-11.  Patrick Grashorn steps in as the head coach of each team as they begin on Sep. 3 when the women host Lake Superior State.

After opening the program in 2009-10, the men's and women's tennis teams will both be deeper, more experienced and more talented when they start their official matches in 2010-11.

Patrick Grashorn was named the women's coach late in the summer and will now oversee the men's program as well.  Grashorn comes to DU after a standout playing career at Aquinas and numerous years teaching the game at MVP.

Returning as captain of the men's team is Jeff Karasinski (Grand Rapids, Mich.) who played #1 singles for the Panthers last season and finished with an overall singles record of 5-13.  Jeff was also very solid at #1 doubles as the senior finished 7-12 overall last season and 6-10 with partner Matt Weiden (Kentwood, Mich.).

Weiden will join other DU returners Chris Grashorn (Rockford, Mich.), Jerome Jayapal (Grand Rapids, Mich.)and Vitaly Schumilov (Togliatti, Russia) to give the Panthers depth and experience in the second year of the program.

Joining the Panthers for their first season in the red and black will be Tyler Chambers (Rockford, Mich.), Garrett Garchow (Kentwood, Mich.), Kyle Hamstra (Holland, Mich.), Eric Pell (Caledonia, Mich.), and Victor Roland (Natal, Brazil).

On the women's side, the Lady Panthers will once again be led by twin sisters Diane Favela (San Luis Potosi, Mexico) and Denisse Favela (San Luis Potosi, Mexico).  In their inaugural year for DU last season, the two combined to post a combined 20-7 singles record that was highlighted by a 11-2 mark by Denisse at #2.

Senior captain Emily Vogl (Wyoming, Mich.) also returns for her final season in college as she finished 6-9 in singles play and combined with Denisse Favela to post a 10-1 mark in doubles.

Davenport will also welcome four new players to the women's team including junior college transfer Stephanie Fortney (Allegan, Mich.) as well as freshman Erin Hossack (Dearborn, Mich.), Kristi Kuzdal (Grandville, Mich.) and Kelly Todd (Grand Rapids, Mich.).

The women's team opens up their matches on Friday, September 3 when they host Lake Superior State at Orchard Hills.  The men will begin play on Saturday, September 11 at University of St. Francis (Ind.).