(Posted May 5, 2003)

Huntingdon, Pa. - Juniata College freshman tennis player Neil Eicher (Altoona/Altoona) has earned two accolades following his freshman season on Juniata's men's tennis team. Eicher received co-rookie of the year honors, and was chosen as a second-team all-conference performer. Eicher earns the honor while Juniata is only in the second year of the tennis program's return to the College Hill campus.

In his first collegiate campaign, Eicher posted a singles record of 6-7 and notched a 6-6 mark on the doubles courts. His most impressive singles win came as he claimed a 6-2, 6-3 win in the first round of the MAC individual championships. He eventually lost to the tournament No. 1 seed. His five singles wins for the season were second best on the team, while he led the squad in doubles victories.

Playing at the number one singles position all season, Eicher was 3-4 during the regular season in Commonwealth Conference singles matches. He earned singles wins over Messiah, Widener and Lebanon Valley. In the match against the Dutchmen he came back after dropping the first set to earn a 2-6, 7-5, 6-3 win that nearly sparked a Juniata comeback victory.

In only the second season since returning to Juniata as a varsity program, the Eagles closed the year with a record of 3-9 and a 2-5 record in the conference. After winning only six games in conference play during the 2002 season, the Eagles claimed wins in 17 games this season, a sign of the team's growing competitiveness in the Commonwealth Conference.

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Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.