KC Explorers Roster Grows Following Player Draft
March 13, 2012 - World TeamTennis (WTT)
Kansas City Explorers News Release
KANSAS CITY, MO (March 13, 2012) The Explorers' rounded off their 20th anniversary team roster in the WTT Roster Player Draft. In the four rounds, the Explorers picked Chanel Simmonds, Aisam Ul-Haq Qureshi, Nick Monroe and Tetiana Luzhanska. These new players join Bob and Mike Bryan, the number one ranked doubles players, who were protected for the eighth consecutive season in the WTT Marquee Player Draft on Feb. 14. Brent Haygarth is entering his sixth season as head coach of the Explorers.
"We have a unique blend of players that should complement each other and make us a complete team," owner Jeff Launius said. "This was a team that was not picked lightly, there was a lot of hard work put into this team and we are excited to have all of them."
In the first round of the WTT Roster Player Draft, the Explorers picked Chanel Simmonds. This will be Simmonds' first season playing in the WTT Pro League. Simmond's has achieved nine singles titles on the ITF circuit and this February received her career-high doubles ranking of No. 220.
"Simmond's was a sleeper in the draft. We are fortunate to pick her up. We knew she was a top pick and we are very happy to have her in Kansas City," Launius said."
Kansas City's second round pick was Aisam Ul-Haq Qureshi. Qureshi will also be playing his first season in the league. Qureshi has won five career doubles titles in the ATP World Tour and has also authored a book that will be on sale at the Explorers' matches. He was in the finals of the 2011 US Open Mixed Doubles Championship with the Explorers own Kvete Peschka and lost in the finals of the 2011 US Open Men's Doubles Championship to the Bryan brothers.
"To have somebody of Qureshi's stature on and off the court will be something that the KC fans will love," Launius said.
The Explorers' picked up Nick Monroe, an Oklahoma City native, in the third round. He will be playing his second full season in the WTT. Monroe has won three Challenger titles and he reached his career-high doubles ranking of No. 158 in Feb.
"Monroe, also known as "ËCharlie Hustle' on the court, is from the Missouri Valley section and this will play as a homecoming for him," Launius said.
In the final round, the Explorers picked Tetiana Luzhanska. She was a sub for the Explorers in 2009, and will soon compete in her first full season. Luzhanska has won two ITF singles titles and 21 ITF doubles titles including three doubles titles in 2011.
"Tetiana is having great success at doubles and I think everybody is going to be surprised with how good she is in singles and doubles," Launius said.
The Explorers' 20th Anniversary Season's home opener against the Springfield Lasers will be held on Fri, July 13 at Barney Allis Plaza. Six out of the seven Explorers' home matches will take place on weekends.
"This is a team that we wanted and assembled," Launius said, "We are happy to have them as our 20th anniversary team.
Below is the Kansas City Explorers 2012 schedule:
Monday, July 9@ Springfield
Tuesday, July 10
Wednesday, July 11@ Orange County
Thursday, July 12 @ Sacramento
Friday, July 13Springfield @7:35 P.M.
Saturday, July 14
Sunday, July 15NY Sportimes @7:05 P.M.
Monday, July 16 @Philadelphia (Bryan Brothers)
Tuesday, July 17
Wednesday, July 18@Boston
Thursday, July 19
Friday, July 20Sacramento @ 7:35 P.M.
Saturday, July 21Orange County @7:35 P.M.
Sunday, July 22@ Washington (S. Williams)
Monday, July 23
Tuesday, July 24Springfield @7:05 P.M.
Wednesday, July 25@ Springfield
Thursday, July 26
Friday, July 27Washington @7:35 P.M.
Saturday, July 28NY Sportimes @7:35 P.M.
Season tickets are now on sale and individual match tickets will go on sale Monday, May 28. Tickets may be purchased online at www.kcexplorers.com or by calling the Explorers' office at (816) 513-5630.
The 37th season of the WTT will start on July 9 and run through July 28. The finals will be held in Charleston, N.C. Sept. 14-16. For information on the Explorers and other WTT teams, visit www.WTT.com.
World TeamTennis Stories from March 13, 2012
- Boston Lobsters Firm up Roster - Boston Lobsters
- Identical Twins Top WTT Roster Player Draft - WTT
- Sacramento Capitals Re-Sign Mark Knowles, Draft 2011 Rookie of the Year - Sacramento Capitals
- KC Explorers Roster Grows Following Player Draft - Kansas City Explorers
- Kastles Bring Core Team Back to Defend WTT Championship - Washington Kastles
- Sportimes Draft Kendrick, Witten, Harkleroad for 2012 - New York Sportimes
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