The men’s tennis team began its season back in September with a non-conference win over Muskingum, 8-1.

Last year, however, the team finished seventh in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference and seventh in the PAC Tournament, after a strong late season push from then-senior Andy Brunette and then-junior Jonah Cooper.

Entering this season, the team was voted into a sixth-place tie with Bethany in the Presidents’ Athletics Conference coaches’ poll, each scoring a total of 28 points.

Once again, Grove City was selected the favorite to win the conference this spring. The Wolverines gathered seven of the eight first-place votes and had a total of 63 total points in the poll. Washington & Jefferson grabbed the other first-place vote and totaled 54 points to earn the second position. Saint Vincent was allotted 46 points, landing in the number-three spot in the poll.

Beginning the season in the fall, Waynesburg got off to a good start, going 3-1 in its first four matches of the season.

This season, head tennis coach Ron Headlee said that his team can make a push to be one of the top four teams within the conference.

“We have a lot of our key players coming back this year,” said Headlee. “After having a few players come in, we now have a very talented group of young players also.”

The players to watch for this season are seniors Josh Denham, Brian Drake and Cooper.

A year ago, Cooper went 4-2 in singles and 3-3 in doubles, with his primary partner being Josh Denham. Denham compiled a 2-4 singles record and a 3-3 doubles record last season. Both of them have high expectations heading into PAC play this season.

“These two have been such a help to our program this year,” said Headlee. “We are looking forward to them having a big year and to help us make a push in the PAC tournament.”

The last player to watch is Drake. Joining the team last season, he tallied a 2-4 singles record and a 1-8 doubles record.

“Brian came to us a junior last season and played really well for us,” said Headlee. “For us to improve in the PAC, he has to be one of the players that plays really good for us.”

With strong teams such as Grove City and Washington & Jefferson, Headlee also said that the team will need to compete with those top teams to be a threat in the PAC.

“We got to get a match from one of those teams,” said Headlee. “It would make a case for us being one of the top four teams in the conference.”

Waynesburg now has a 3-1 record overall heading into PAC play, but the team will have one last non-conference matchup against Penn State Behrend, which was postponed due to inclement weather but will be played before the Yellow Jackets head into PAC play. Until then, the next match will be at home against Bethany March 29 at 4 p.m.