Kansas City Explorers Team Roster Finalized
March 15, 2011 - World TeamTennis (WTT)
Kansas City Explorers News Release
The World TeamTennis 2011 Roster Draft was conducted this morning and finalized the Defending Champions team roster. The Kansas City Explorers will be piloted for the fifth consecutive year by Coach Brent Haygarth. Haygarth has had tremendous success coaching the Explorers with a total of forty wins over the last four years, two Western Conference titles, the 2008 Coach of the Year award and the 2010 World Championship title.
The Explorers had the ninth overall pick in the first round of the draft and selected upcoming and promising American tennis star, Alex Kuznetsov. Kuznetsov played World TeamTennis in the 2006 season at the age of nineteen and returns to the league to defend the Championship Title as an Explorer. His career high doubles ranking is 78th and he is currently ranked in the top 200 in men's singles. General Manager and Co-Owner of the Explorers, Jeff Launius said, "Kuznetsov will bring great versatility to the team and compliment Mello. We [Launius and Haygarth] were ecstatic about being able to draft such a strong player in the first round."
Championship team members, Kveta Peschke and Ricardo Mello were protected by Kansas City in the second and third rounds of the 2011 draft. According to Launius, bringing back two of the strongest staples of the organization wasn't even a question. This season will mark Peschke's fourth season and Mello's second as Explorers. Mello is currently ranked 75th in men's singles, while Peschke is ranked 3rd in women's doubles.
Madison Brengle was selected in the fourth and final round of the draft by the Explorers. As the second highest ranked women's singles player in the draft, Brengle will be a strong asset to the team. "She has shown great improvement in her career thus far and our fans will be pleased with her game. She is a stronger player than her current ranking suggests," Launius stated.
Last month, the number one doubles team in the world, Bob and Mike Bryan were protected by the Explorers in the Marquee Draft. They will join Kansas City for two home matches on July 14th and July 16th, as well as four road matches against Sacramento, Newport Beach, New York and Philadelphia.
All Explorers matches will be played at Explorers Stadium at Barney Allis Plaza. Matches will begin at 7:35pm, except for Sunday matches on July 10th and 17th; starting times for these will be 6:35pm. Season tickets are available for purchase now and individual tickets will go on sale Monday, May 23rd at 9a.m. For more information on the team, tickets, and promotions, visit www.kcexplorers.com or call 816.513.5630.
2011 Seven- Match Home Schedule:
Thursday, July 7th vs. Sacramento
Friday, July 8th vs. Newport Beach
Sunday, July 10th vs. Boston
Thursday, July 14th vs. Sacramento
Saturday, July 16th vs. New York
Sunday, July 17th vs. Springfield
Wednesday, July 20th vs. St. Louis
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