Feb. 7, 2005

With all six starters returning from last season's team Gonzaga University fourth-year head coach John Gant has his team poised to make an upward move for the 2004-05 season.

"We return all of our players from last year's team with each one of them having an additional year of experience under their belts," stated Gant on the number of veterans he has returning for this season. "In addition to the depth we have back our team has also added three talented newcomers who can immediately challenge for playing time."

Last season Gonzaga took its lumps on the court playing a line-up that included two juniors, three sophomores and one freshman. Now that group is one year older with senior Dru Ernst and junior Bryce Cooper two of the top returning players. Cooper posted a 12-9 record at the No. 1 singles position while Ernst appeared in 20 matches as the No. 2 seed with a 5-15 mark.

"Bryce is definitely the top returning player on our squad and he proved last season finishing with the only winning individual record on our team. This season I expect him to serve as our No. 1 singles player and challenge for a point in every match. Dru has developed into a steady player and has become a team leader through his work ethic on-and-off the court," Gant said of his top two returning players.

Following Cooper and Ernst in the Bulldogs line-up from last season are sophomore Brett Womack and junior Reid Arthur. The pair split time playing between the No. 3 and No. 4 positions with each collecting four wins at the No. 3 slot and three wins at the No. 4 slot.

"Brett and Reid both played well for us in the middle of the line-up last season," added Gant. "I expect each player to improve on their games this season and help us win some crucial points in the middle matches."

Rounding out the returnees are senior Jesse Goldsmith and junior Robert Penney. Both players rotated between the fifth and sixth seeds last season with Penney going 3-11 at the No. 5 position.

"Both Jesse and Robert have been great team guys during their careers. Hopefully, they can continue to contribute to what we are trying to accomplish here with our program," mentioned Gant on the his final two returners. "With the new guys we have brought into the fold this year, Jesse and Robert will really have to work in order to continue to make travel squads."

The newcomers Gant alluded to are freshman Michael Azuma from Honolulu, Hawai'i, Cooper Fratt from Phoenix, Ariz., and Marco Pineda from Los Angeles. All three players enter Gonzaga after heralded prep careers.

"Our incoming class of freshmen is probably the most talented group of guys we have recruited during my time here at Gonzaga," added Gant. "All three of these guys will immediately challenge for seeded positions and will push our older players to improve their games."

Should the pieces all come together for the Bulldogs this season they should be able to improve on their four-win total of last season and challenge for a higher finish at the West Coast Conference championships.