JOHNSON, Vt. – The Johnson State men’s tennis team, an experienced and senior-laden squad, will look to build on a 2011 season that saw the Badgers make it to the North Atlantic Conference (NAC) East Division Final. JSC finished their 2011 season with a 6-6 overall record, 5-3 in the NAC.

Second-year Head Coach Laura Laramee will look to a group of six seniors to lead her veteran team in 2012. Ryan Joy (North Montpelier, Vt./U-32) had another strong season as a junior acheiving All-NAC First Team Singles and teaming with Chance Swafford (Waterbury, Vt./North Country) for an 8-0 record earning All-NAC First Team Doubles honors as well.

The senior group also includes Alen Turan (Essex, Vt./Essex), Ben Algar (Old Lyme, Conn./Lyme-Old Lyme), James Dempsey (Lincoln, Vt./Mount Abraham), Peter Leblanc (Worcester, Mass./Abby Kelley Foster) and Kyle Young (Randolph, Vt./Randolph). All six JSC seniors have played together for four of their collegiate seasons.

Algar and Dempsey teamed up to go 5-1 at #3 doubles to also earn NAC First Team Doubles recognition for Johnson while Swafford (7-4) and Algar (6-5) finished their respective 2011 campaign’s with winning singles records.

“I am looking forward to a very competitive season as our experience seniors and two sophomores have a lot to prove,” said Coach Laramee. “I think making it to the NAC East Finals last year was not enough for these men and want to win it this year. I would love to see them win it as they deserve it with the time and dedication they have put in all four years. Everyone is hitting the ball well and has picked up right where they left off last year.”

Johnson will open their 2012 schedule in Hilton Head, South Carolina for matches against Marietta College, Defiance College, and Frostburg State University. The first Badger home match will come on April 6 when they will face Lyndon State College.