In the final match of last year’s spring season, the men’s tennis team earned its first NESCAC victory since 2013 with a 7–2 win over Connecticut College. This year, the team is poised to build on that success. Matthew Brisotti, who will enter his first full season as the coach of the Continental’s men’s and women’s teams after being hired last Dec., is optimistic about the program’s future. “I think the program is on the rise and the focus is on getting everyone better,” Brisotti said.

The men’s team graduated only one senior while welcoming six new first-years. The result is that the team will roster 17 players this fall, an unusually high number for a college tennis team. The squad is focused on taking advantage of their strength in numbers. “We’ll have more guys on the sidelines than on the court,” said Matt May ’21. “Let’s make sure people know we’re here. Eight guys yelling on the sidelines can definitely change momentum.”

Senior captain Matthew Haas ’19 has some very tangible goals for his final season on the Hill. He says: “I’m hoping the team will be able to qualify for the NESCAC tournament, obtain a 0.500 win percentage and get a regional ranking.” In order to do that, the team will look to benefit from the help of new assistant coach Hannah Fleckenstein, who brings her knowledge and expertise from nearby Colgate University, where she coached and played for the Division I Raiders.

Men’s and women’s tennis will play their first tournament of the season during the St. Lawrence Fall Classic in Canton, N.Y. on Sat. Sept. 8 and Sun. Sept. 9, time to be decided.