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EAST LANSING, Mich. (2/8/13) -- The University of Detroit Mercy men's tennis head coach Grant Asher has been named to Michigan State's All-Century Team after a distinguished playing career at his alma mater from 1989-92. 

"I'm humbled and honored to be recognized among so many great players," said Asher. "I feel fortunate to have had such great coaches and mentors along the way to help mold the player I became."

Asher, in his fifth year as head coach of the Titans, played first singles and doubles throughout his career at Michigan State and was named team MVP all four years. In his senior year he was named All-Big Ten, the first men's tennis player to earn the honor at Michigan State in 10 years. He was a two-time team captain and finished his career with 64 total singles wins. 

"I could have never accomplished my goals without my mom," said Asher. "She made many sacrifices for me and was always so supportive. Living blocks from the MSU campus, I grew up watching my brother [Jordy] and sister [Suzanne] play for the Spartans and I dreamed I could make the team some day. My twin eight year-olds are very impressed with Dad right now."

In his four years as head coach of the men's tennis team, UDM has reached the Horizon League Tournament in three out of his four years. Under his direction, the Titans claimed back-to-back HL Player of the Year honors with Pjotrs Necajevs taking the yearly honor in his two seasons in the Motor City in 2009 and 2010. Asher also helped current senior Cesar Escobar Serrano come in at mid-year in the 09-10 season as a newcomer to post a 6-1 league mark and earn second team All-League honors. Asher also saw Detroit receive recognition from the Midwest coaches as his No. 1 doubles team of Necajevs and Alex Latosinsky advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2009 ITA Midwest Regionals defeating the 12th-seeded Wisconsin tandem in the process.

Asher was an assistant with the UDM women's tennis before being named as the men's tennis head coach. In his first year coaching the men's team at UDM in 08-09, Asher quickly got to work recruiting the first men's tennis team since 1995, forming a seven-man roster. Working with five true freshmen and two transfer juniors, Asher led Detroit to a 5-13 record in the program's first varsity campaign in 13 years. During the way, he helped mentor Necajevs to earn five Horizon League Player of the Week honors. Necajevs was ultimately named the conference's Newcomer and Player of the Year in 2009 after tallying a 25-4 singles record, all at No. 1, including a perfect 7-0 mark in the league. 

Asher coached Cesar Escobar Serrano to the second team All-Horizon in 2012 and Alex Latosinsky to the second team in 2011.

A banquet will be held in honor of the All-Century Team on the campus of MSU on Saturday, Feb. 9.

The UDM men's tennis team will be back in action when Dayton heads to the Franklin Athletic Club on Sunday, February 24 at 7:00 p.m.