Peach Belt Announces Men's Tennis Preseason All-Conference Team

AUGUSTA , GA – The Peach Belt Conference has announced its 2009 men’s tennis preseason All-Conference team. Six players were named to the team, which is administered and voted on by the league’s Sports Information Directors. Armstrong Atlantic State, the defending Division II national champions, lead with two players selected to the team; GCSU, FMU, USC Aiken and Lander had one player each.

AASU’s Tim Johannsen was named the PBC Freshman of the Year in 2008 and an ITA All-American in singles and doubles. Now preparing for his sophomore season, the native of Hohenlockstedt, Germany, went 15-7 in singles and 23-7 at doubles last season, finishing the year ranked sixth and second in the nation, respectively, by the ITA. He was also named All-Conference in both singles and doubles.

Paul Bishop returns for his senior season at AASU and will serve as the team captain for the Pirates. A senior from Whitwell, England, Bishop was 29-8 in singles last season, 37-5 in doubles and is ranked #11 in singles to begin the 2009 season.

GCSU’s Erick Siqueira was named the PBC Player of the Year in 2008 after going 17-2 at the #1 singles spot for the Bobcats. Now beginning his senior season, the native of Sao Paulo, Brazil, was named an ITA All-American for the second time and was the first GCSU men’s tennis player to ever be named the PBC Player of the Year.

Lander’s Damien Cordesse will begin the 2009 campaign ranked 20th nationally in singles and 15th in doubles. The senior from Paris, France, was 12-8 in singles for the Bearcats last season, playing in five different singles spots, and 12-6 overall in doubles.

Francis Marion’s Oshada Wijemanne was ranked #7 in the nation in 2008, going 19-4 in singles play and 16-6 in doubles. The sophomore from Colombo, Sri Lanka, helped the Patriots to an NCAA Tournament appearance where they advance to the Elite Eight.

USC Aiken’s Bruno Seves was named PBC All-Conference in singles last year after going 16-2 in singles for the Pacers, including a 13-1 mark at the No. 2 spot. A senior from Araraquara, Brazil, Seves was also 3-1 at No. 1 singles and 4-2 against ranked opponents.

Peach Belt Conference
Men’s Tennis Preseason All-Conference Team

Paul Bishop, Armstrong Atlantic State
Damien Cordesse, Lander
Tim Johannsen, Armstrong Atlantic State
Bruno Seves, USC Aiken
Erick Siqueira, GCSU
Oshada Wijemanne, Francis Marion