KUTZTOWN, Pa. (April 19, 2011) – The top-seeded Kutztown University men's tennis team begins its quest for a third straight Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) title when it meets fourth-seeded Mercyhurst College Thursday afternoon at Bloomsburg University. The match starts at 3 p.m. (PSAC CHAMPIONSHIP TENNIS PAGE)

Making its seventh consecutive PSAC playoff appearance, Kutztown went undefeated against PSAC schools this season, posting a 5-0 record. Kutztown is 11-4 overall. The Golden Bears have been dominant in recent years against PSAC schools, winning 21 straight matches against conference foes. Kutztown's last setback to a conference foe was against Bloomsburg on April 26, 2008 in the conference title match.  

Despite its conference dominance, Kutztown is far from complacent as it begins another championship chase.

“Yes, the team has been highly motivated all season,” Kutztown tennis coach Suresh Ramamurthi said. “We have strong upperclassmen that experienced this through hard work and determination.  They are pushing the freshmen in the same direction.  It has not taken much effort to motivate this group. We keep talking about all the hard work and enthusiasm they have to be successful.  Each team member knows that he has to deliver their best effort for each point.”   

The Golden Bears are seeking their 10th overall PSAC championship in the last 12 years. Kutztown beat Mercyhurst, 5-2 in the PSAC title last season and 5-3 in the first round of the NCAA Atlantic Regional. This season, KU beat Mercyhurst, 5-4, in Erie on September 19.

Kutztown won six of its final seven matches to close the regular season. The Golden Bears are ranked fourth in the latest NCAA Division II Atlantic Region rankings. Bloomsburg is sixth and Millersville is ninth in the regional rankings. With victories over regionally-ranked Bluefield State (No. 3), Charleston (No. 8), Bloomsburg and Millersville this season, the Golden Bears appear to be in excellent shape to be selected to the NCAA tournament for the 13th time in program history.

Freshman Rushi Amin (Orefield, PA/Lake Brantley) has leads the Golden Bears with an 11-2 overall record. He has won 10 straight matches, mostly at fourth singles. He is one of three KU players with double-digit victories.

“I am very excited to start the playoffs,” Amin said. “This is my first year here and it's been an amazing season so far. It's going to be tough, but we're looking forward to the challenge. It's been fantastic for me and I've just worked hard as I possibly could throughout the season. I feel proud of myself when I tell people that I am a member of the KU men's tennis team. It's been a great experience.”

Freshman Andrew Zhu (Toronto, ON/Northview) and senior Kaushik Das (Guwahati, Assam/National Open School) have won 10 matches each for Kutztown. Sophomore Cameron O'Donnell (Allentown, PA/Parkland) has won five matches in a row and has compiled a 9-4 overall record. O'Donnell was named the PSAC Freshman of the Year last season.

Junior Arijit Goswami (Kolkata, India/LSA Kolkata) was named the most valuable player of last year's championship tournament. Goswami, Das, and O'Donnell have the experience of playing in the NCAA tournament and advancing to the Sweet 16 in Altamonte Springs, Florida. Goswami and Das have been the Golden Bears' top doubles squad, posting a 7-3 record. Also winning seven matches this season as a tandem has been Amin and Juan Gutierrez (San Jose, Costa Rica/SEK International School).

Goswami hasn't had to spend much time talking to the younger guys about the playoff pressure they're about to experience. He is one of the leaders of the Golden Bear squad.

“These new guys are pretty good,” Goswami said. “They haven't had that much experience here, but the way they've played this season, I haven't had to tell them anything right now. As a team, we're confident going into PSAC playoffs, but we know we're going to have work hard and battle for every point. I've won two PSAC titles and I am motivated to win a third one.”

Kutztown's roster recently received a boost with the addition of Joel Irwin, who played tennis most of his life. Irwin earned first team all-PSAC East honors as a member of the Golden Bears' record setting football team.

Meanwhile, Mercyhurst (6-13 overall) has dropped three consecutive matches. The Lakers' two conference victories were over West Chester and East Stroudsburg. The Lakers' top performer has been No. 1 singles players Keith Whiitingham. He is 18-7 overall and 14-5 at No. 1 singles. Whittingham brings a seven-match winning streak into the PSAC playoffs. Jorn Vander Veer has teamed with Whittingham to compile a 12-3 mark at No. 1 doubles.

In the first meeting this season, the Lakers won two of three doubles matches. Das defeated Whittingham in three sets at No. 1 singles. 

“We need to always get a very good start in all 3 doubles,” Ramamurthi said.  “We have better depth now than when we played them in the fall.  However, Mercyhurst has a gutsy bunch of players and they proved that last year.  We are taking them very seriously and with a lot of respect.  It will be a very tough match as usual.”

The other semifinal match is second-seeded Bloomsburg against third-seeded Millersville. The two match winners will meet for the PSAC Championship Friday at Noon. Kutztown has defeated all three teams this season. The Golden Bears beat Mercyhurst (5-4), Millersville (9-0) and Bloomsburg (6-3).