MOUNT VERNON – Near completion of its first full week of "spring" practices, Cornell's men's tennis team is poised to make a move up the Midwest Conference standings under second-year head coach Trent Schneider.
 
The Rams are picked third in the 2023 MWC Preseason Coaches' Poll with 25 points, trailing only Grinnell (36 points, six first-place) and Lake Forest (31 points, one first-place) for league supremacy.
 
Schneider's squad welcomes back four starters from last year's 9-13 finish during which the Rams took fourth in the MWC with a 3-3 mark.
 
"The goal is to continue our climb in the MWC," Schneider said. "We're in Year 2. The guys understand what to expect. We'll strive to get better each day with a high level of effort and a good attitude. We need to support each other and push each other to succeed."
 
The Rams will count on an experienced junior trio to lead the way in Alexander Hadler-Strumlauf, Federico Polidori and Chris Penas-Hull. They are two-year starters with 125 career victories collectively.
 
Hadler-Strumlauf returns to the top of the lineup, going 15-7 in singles play and 12-12 at No. 1 doubles. Polidori posted a 10-3 record at No. 2 singles and finished 7-3 with No. 2 doubles partner Penas-Hull. Penas-Hull claimed 24 total wins a year ago.
 
"They will help carry the load again, like they did last year," Schneider said. "We need them to lead by example."
 
Sophomore Edwin Holyoake was also a primary starter in 2022, totaling 15 wins. Senior multi-year letterwinners Michael Coester and Bryce Fincher add depth and experience to the roster.
 
Schneider expects his three newcomers to make an impact on the season, led by first-year Zachary Ong who posted a 6-1 record in limited action this fall. First-years August Krahn and Jackson Smock will also contend for spots in Cornell's lineup.
 
The Rams play eight of their first nine dual meets at home in the arena of the Small Athletic and Wellness Center. They open play Feb. 4 with home duals against Wisconsin Lutheran and Northwestern (Iowa).
 
"We have a great indoor facility and are fortunate to have good courts in the middle of our campus," Schneider said.
 
Following the March 5 MWC opener with Grinnell, the team travels to Hilton Head, S.C., for four duals over Spring Break March 10-14. The MWC Team Tournament is April 28 in Peoria, Ill., followed by the MWC Individual Championships April 29-30.