Several players on the Muhlenberg men’s tennis team will literally have to “step it up” during the 2002 season, which is scheduled to begin tomorrow at Albright.

The Mules had two of the most successful seasons in team history the last two years, going 10-4 in 2000 and 9-6 last year, but graduated the player who filled the No. 1 slot

Parke was 8-4-1 at No. 3 singles in the spring of 2001.

both years. The success of the team this season depends on how well the returning players respond to the stiffer competition at the higher positions on the ladder.

At the core of the team are three juniors who have been starters throughout their career: Brad Scheller, Cameron Parke and Matt Fleissing.

Scheller led Muhlenberg with 28 combined wins last year while playing No. 2 singles and No. 1 doubles and advanced to the Centennial Conference doubles final for the second straight year. He had a record of 52-27 his first two years, while Parke (No. 3 singles last year) was 42-32-1 and Fleissig (No. 4) 33-18.

With only one senior on the roster, sophomores and freshmen will fill out most of the rest of the lineup.

The Mules, who have recorded a winning record in the CC each of the past four seasons, begin league play on March 30 against Dickinson. Muhlenberg defeated CC rival Franklin & Marshall in a fall match. Defending champion Washington, which has never lost a CC match, is ranked seventh in Division III.

Caldwell needs 12 points to become the sixth player in team history with 100 in a career.

The Mules opened up last Tuesday with a 12-11 loss at Greensboro and have their Northern debut scheduled for tomorrow against Widener at Scotty Wood Stadium.

Last year, Muhlenberg had only 14 field players, and the lack of depth took its toll on the team late in games and late in the season. A strong group of newcomers has pushed the squad size up to 20, which should translate into fresher legs.

“It’s been good for the intensity in practices. People are really fighting for starting positions,” said lone returning senior Teresa Lunardi, who won’t have to fight for hers after scoring 37 goals last year. “It definitely will make the team play better and make people push each other.”

Lunardi, who scored four goals at Greensboro, ranked second on the team in ground balls, caused turnovers and draw controls in addition to scoring last spring.

Joining her as the team’s top returning offensive weapons are juniors Lynsey Caldwell and Sarah Bowman. Caldwell led the Mules with 14 assists last year (in addition to scoring 21 goals) and needs just eight more assists to break the school record. Bowman scored 18 goals and led the team in ground balls, caused turnovers and draw controls.

Defender Maura Crossen and goalie Stephanie Ahrens are the only other juniors on a squad that will lean heavily on young players, including several sophomores who saw considerable playing time last year.

“We’re definitely a young team,” said Lunardi. “But we’re starting a lot further along than we did last year.”