Lehigh University Athletics
Esler and Smalley named All-Patriot League
5/3/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
Esler garnered All-League recognition for the third year in a row playing top flight singles, often against the top players from opposing schools. A team captain, Esler was 9-10 in singles play, 8-9 at the top flight level. He was 3-3 in Patriot League matches and also posted a 9-8 mark in doubles play.
Smalley joins Esler on the All-League teams for the second straight year after another stellar season playing second singles and teaming with Esler at first doubles. Smalley was 9-9 this season, 9-7 at the number two singles level. He posted a 4-2 mark in Patriot League matches. The Mountain Hawks top doubles player, Smalley went 10-8 at first doubles, playing primarily with Esler, including a 4-2 record against league opponents.
The Mountain Hawks wrapped up the 2005 campaign with an 8-11 record and finished 2-4 in the Patriot League, good for fifth, one spot shy of a tournament berth. Lehigh battled the top teams in the league all season long, losing to tournament qualifiers Army, Colgate and Navy by just one point. The Mountain Hawks lose just two seniors, Esler and Andrew Shapiro while Smalley will be counted upon for leadership in his upcoming senior season. Tournament champion Army took two of the three major awards as Jim Poling was named Coach of the Year and Eddie Kang was named Rookie of the Year. Colgate’s Reed Hagmann was named Player of the Year.
