HAMILTON – The men's tennis team is gearing up for the incoming fall season, which begins Saturday, Sept. 7th, in Bloomsburg, Pa. The squad, led by head coach Bobby Pennington in his 19th year at the helm, looks to bounce back from a six win season which had many trials and tribulations. However, the squad returns the nine out of 11 letter winners from last spring, bolstered by its four senior captains.

"After three absolutely brutal years, we look to get the program back to where it was and had been my previous 15," Pennington said. "We return nine strong, mature, seasoned upperclassmen and bring in three talented first-years. The league only gets stronger and stronger, but with our experience, depth, and hunger we look to have a winning record and make serious noise in the league." 

The four returning seniors, Benito Vlassis, Ben Graham, Mikey Weitz and Josh Israel, bring 150 matches of experience to the group with 50 singles victories and 43 doubles wins under their collective belts. 

"The other senior captains and I have been through a lot over the last few seasons," said Israel. "It has taught us countless lessons and brought us closer and closer. I consider them my brothers, and I'm excited for us to lead this experienced and hungry squad into the season."

In addition to the four captains, the Raiders return three juniors in Aidan Lee, John Fazli, and Aidan Chung, along with two sophomores, Parker McGowan and Jerome Falcon. All five played in at least 15 matches last season, which will compound the impact the three newcomers will have on the squad. 

Tim Viding, from England, Lochlan Seth, from Massachusetts, and Wesley Nichols from Connecticut look to make an immediate impact on the program and bring additional depth to the roster. 

Following the Raiders' first action in Bloomsburg, Colgate hosts an invite at J.W. Abrahamson Tennis Courts in Hamilton, the first home fall invite in the history of the program.