For the first time in three years, every player on the Penn men's tennis team is a recruit of coach Mark Riley.
Despite the fact that this is a squad without returning seniors, Riley feels confident in his upperclassmen's leadership, which he has seen develop before his eyes.
"These guys have enough experience and are ready to make a contribution," Riley said.
This weekend, the Penn men's tennis team will head to enemy territory for the Princeton Invitational with a new batch of freshmen aboard.
"I have confidence in the players we have brought in," said Riley, referring to the addition of freshmen Mikhail Bekker, John Stetson and Aubry Wand.
"It's been pretty impressive," junior co-captain David Lynn said. "Playing at this level is definitely an adjustment, but so far we are impressed with what we've seen."
Bekker comes to Penn from Moscow as one of the former top junior players in the world. He and the other freshmen will join the roster which includes six returning lettermen.
Co-captains Craig Rubin and Lynn, along with Jimmy Fairbanks, Justin Gordon, Justin Lavner, Anthony Pu and the rest of the team "have been doing a great job of making sure the freshmen are comfortable," Riley said.
Lynn believes these upperclassmen will lead the team.
"I think it's going to be a good year," he said. "The team will come together real well."
During the spring, Penn finished with a winning record overall, but was 2-5 in Ivy competition.
"We know we have to outwork every other team in order to win in the Ivy League," Lynn said.
Lynn will be a key to any Ivy League title aspirations the Quakers have. The junior was named second-team All-Ivy in 2001. He, Pu and Lecher will have to fill the void of graduated seniors Andy Kolker and Ryan Haywood -- two of Penn's top players in the spring.
Attaining a winning record in the Ivy League has been established as this year's goal.
"Each match is a battle in this League," Riley said.
"I'm looking for everyone on the team to make a bigger contribution in practice, that will turn into bigger contributions in matches."
The weekend of Oct. 3, the Quakers will be one of 16 teams to go to New York for the East Coast Athletic Conference Championships for what will provide many teams like Penn their only chance for team play this fall.
This weekend's Princeton Invitational, the Omni ITA Regional Championships and the Red and Blue's own Penn Classic are individual competitions.
This year's Penn Classic will be held on Halloween weekend.
"The fall is used for individual players to improve their regional and national rankings, as well as to get their fitness level to par," Riley said.
Lynn echoed his coach's sentiments on the value of the fall matches.
"The fall season gives a lot of kids a lot of chances to play and put themselves in a competitive position."
Riley is confident his players have what it takes to serve up success in the Ivy League.
"We are going to be gritty and play hard," he said. "We are going to find out who we are and develop a style of play that will turn into wins."
Season Preview Home court: Lott Tennis Courts Last spring: 11-9, 2-5 Ivy League Key losses: (2) Ryan Harwood, Andrew Kolker Key returners: (6) Anthony Pu, Todd Lecher, Craig Rubin, David Lynn, Justin Lavner, Jimmy Fairbanks Key tournament: Penn Classic Oct. 31-Nov. 2. The Quakers will get a chance to test their young squad at home on the Lott Tennis Courts in their last tournament of the fall.
Player to watch: David Lynn Junior co-captain David Lynn looks to lead a young Penn team after venturing to the round of 16 at the Eastern Regional Championships in 2001.
