Vanguard University claims five All-Americans

The Vanguard University men’s and women’s tennis programs, under the

direction of Coach Mattias Johansson, claimed five spots on NAIA

All-America teams at the conclusion of the 2004 season.

Following third-place finishes by both teams at the NAIA national

championships, Lars Dahlberg, Dieter Weislmaier, Anders Hakansson,

Olga Hlushchanka, and Amy Brown were recognized by the NAIA.

Hlushchanka and Dahlberg were also honored by the International

Tennis Association.

Dahlberg, from Voxja, Sweden, Hakansson of Uppsala, Sweden and

Weislmaier from Deggendorf, Germany primarily played the first three

singles positions for Johansson in their first season on the Lions

men’s tennis team. The trio led the Lions to a 21-6 overall record

and runner-up finishes in the Golden State Athletic Conference

regular season and the NAIA Region II tournament.

After being ranked third in the nation for most of the season, the

three athletes helped propel the Lions to a semifinal encounter with

NAIA No. 1-ranked Azusa Pacific at the NAIA men’s tennis

championship. Dahlberg and Hakansson combined to win the No. 1

doubles match, while Weislmaier and Hakansson won in singles play,

earning every point in Vanguard’s 5-3 loss to the Cougars. Due in

part to VU’s third-place finish, Dahlberg and Weislmaier claimed

spots on the NAIA All-America first team and Hakansson was named to

the second team.

On top of being singled out for first-team honors, Dahlberg was

named the NAIA’s “Player to Watch” by the International Tennis

Association, the governing body of collegiate tennis.

Hlushchanka of Belarus, Minsk remained undefeated in singles play

throughout the season and led the Lions to their first women’s tennis

GSAC championship, a runner-up placing at the NAIA Region II

tournament, and their third trip to the NAIA national tournament. In

addition to her NAIA first-team All-America selection, the ITA also

labeled Hlushchanka the “Player to Watch” for the NAIA. She helped

Vanguard establish a school record with an overall record of 24-3.

The Lions were ranked as high as second in the nation.

Brown from Redding played in the No. 2 singles position for the

Lions and had a very productive collegiate debut on one of the most

talented rosters in the history of the Lions women’s tennis program.

Brown, who paired with Hlushchanka as the top doubles team for

Vanguard, was named to the NAIA second team All-America list.

The duo led the Lions to a third-place finish at the 2004 NAIA

women’s tennis championships, the highest finish for the Vanguard

women’s team.

Both players will return for the Lions next year.