Doug Devriendt #6

Vital StatsHeight: 6’3 Weight: 195 Year: Senior Major: Business Management Fall GPA: 3.59 Born: Winnipeg, Manitoba Hometown: Winnipeg, Manitoba Parents: Joe and Sonya Devriendt

Meet Doug: Being from Winnipeg you’d expect Doug to play hockey, but tennis? “Mainly everyone’s focus was hockey there, so not too many people play tennis,” says Doug about the difficulties of getting good at tennis in a cold climate. Hockey is still Doug’s winter pastime, and he likes golf too. This soft-spoken, fair-headed Canuck considers himself a “baseline attacker” on the tennis court.

What they’re saying: “He run like crazy. He run all day. He has very good fitness.” – Brazilian Head Coach Alcantara Alexandre on Doug’s main strength.”Everybody likes him. He’s very calm, you know. He’s a very friendly person.” – Coach Alexandre on Doug’s personality.

This year? While Doug has never enjoyed flying, the men’s team is soaring to new heights. As we go to press the Owls are #35 in the latest ITA poll – the highest they’ve ever been – and they beat #18 Miami last month. Doug lost 6-1, 6-1 to #40 Todd Widom of UM in the Owl’s upset Jan.24. His 5-2 record at #1 singles hasn’t been easy to achieve. “You’ve got to be aggressive and take control of the points to win [at #1],” says the senior.

What now? The Owls figure to make their third straight NCAA tournament appearance. After getting just a point off the University of Texas last year, the Owls need their #1 to beat his opponent if they make it this year. He lost in straight sets to Texas’s Jean Simon last year.PULLOUT QUOTE: “He run like crazy. He run all day. He has very good fitness.” – Brazilian Head Coach Alcantara Alexandre on Doug’s main strength.