If you’re a casual college tennis fan, you were probably expecting the Georgia Bulldogs to be featured in our Top-10 College Tennis Contenders series.

However, after being ranked 4th in the ITA preseason rankings, a first round exit in the 2018 NCAA tournament to Minnesota was no doubt a disappointing year for Manny Diaz’s squad.

The team may have ended last year ranked 20th in the nation, but I expect some experience at the top of the lineup combined with the nation’s 2nd ranked recruiting class to propel the Dawgs back to the promised land.

University of Georgia | Photo by: @ugatennis twitter

The Team

Bulldog nation lost two heavy hitters from last year’s lineup in Wayne Montgomery (#1 singles) and Nathan Ponwith (mostly played at #3 singles).

Ponwith was dismissed from the team at the end of last season and now plays for the Arizona State Sun Devils.

Montgomery graduated last May. His senior leadership will definitely be missed but I believe some of his former teammates can pick up right where he left off.

Wayne Montgomery | Photo by: redandblack.com

The player that impressed me the most in all of college tennis this fall was Jan Zielinski. Zielinski had a great summer in futures events. He then went on to have a magnificent fall campaign, winning the ITA Southern regional and also reaching the final of the prestigious Battle in the Bay Classic. He earned wins over top-ranked Petros Chyrsochos and Texas’ Harrison Scott along the way. The Polish Senior is currently ranked 2nd in singles and definitely earned that ranking after his stellar fall play.

Next up is Jan Zielinski! Jan was ranked No. 22 in the preseason, but takes the No. 2-ranked spot in ITA National Singles! #GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/cZ2o6F1WCS — Georgia Tennis 🎾 (@UGAtennis) November 15, 2018

Senior Emil Reinberg (ranked 15th by the ITA) also returns to this lineup with a wealth of experience. Reinberg has been a staple in the Dawgs’ singles and doubles lineups over the years. He also had a great run at the All-American this fall, reaching the semifinal before falling to eventual champion JJ Wolf. Look for Reinberg to be a reliable contributor to Georgia’s spring campaign.

First up, Emil Reinberg! Emil jumps to a No.15 ranking after being ranked No. 38 in ITA singles in the preseason. Go, Emil! pic.twitter.com/KFfDRjk7gA — Georgia Tennis 🎾 (@UGAtennis) November 15, 2018

Although he may not be ranked by the ITA, senior Walker Duncan should not be overlooked. Duncan was injured for most of last season but has played in a ton of big-time matches and was an asset in Georgia’s 2017 final four run. Duncan also plays some high-level doubles which will be key for the Dawgs down the stretch.

Walker Duncan | Photo By: bulldawgillustrated.com

Junior Robert Loeb also returns to Athens. He and Zielinski have been great on the doubles court for Georgia, making the 2017 NCAA doubles finals and consistently being ranked in the top 10. Loeb has a ton of singles experience in the bottom of the lineup.

Jan Zielinski and Robert Loeb | Photo by: bulldawgillustrated.com

Manny Diaz will need two others to fill holes in his singles lineup if he wants to reminisce that 2017 final four run.

Freshman Trent Bryde (career high ITF ranking of 8) brings a ton of international experience to Georgia and should thrive in Coach Diaz’s system.

South African Philip Henning is another freshman that will be joining the Dawgs in January and brings some more international experience to Athens.

Perhaps another freshman will step up, or returners Alex Diaz or Alex Phillips will step in. A lot of players should get their chance at the bottom of Georgia’s lineup this year.

Alex Phillips | Photo by: @ugatennis twitter

The Schedule

Coach Diaz always makes sure his team is battle tested come May. Georgia has a matchup against Brian Boland’s new Baylor squad at Michigan’s ITA Kickoff weekend in late January. Each team in this regional is ranked inside the top 30 so the Dawgs will have some high-quality matches early on.

Dan Magill Tennis Complex | Photo by: georgiadogs.com

A February 10th battle in Columbus at Ohio State should be a great testament to see how tough this squad is, while matches, versus Texas, Texas A&M, Florida, and Mississippi State will be pivotal for the Dawgs in March.

The Dawgs schedule lightens up a bit before the SEC tournament, but no match can be overlooked in SEC play as away matches at Kentucky and Vanderbilt could be tough for Georgia before the SEC tournament in Gainesville.

The Take

A perfect season for the Dawgs would have Zielinski, Reinberg, and Duncan providing leadership at the top of the lineup with Loeb and Bryde also being steady contributors.

Coach Diaz would also like to find a reliable player on court-6, which would make Georgia a tough out for anyone in the country.

Georgia will also hope to be playing some big-time doubles, giving them that crucial 1-0 advantage early in matches.

If all goes to plan, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Dawgs in the NCAA Quarterfinal or Semifinal.

Trent Bryde | Photo by: georgiadogs.com

Things could get tricky for Georgia if they experience some injuries like last season.

There’s no doubt that they have star power at the top, but many other teams in the nation are experienced on the top courts as well.

The worst case I see for Georgia is that they get upset in the 2nd round of the NCAA tournament.

I am definitely leaning toward seeing Georiga deep in the tournament rather than an early exit. This team has a combination of experienced stars at the top coupled in with fresh talent that could combine to be a force to be reckoned with come May.

That wraps it up for this weeks’ edition. Be sure to catch my preview of the Virginia Cavaliers next week!