The Mount Saint Mary men’s tennis team is looking to return to the conference championships after a disappointing fourth place finish last year.

This year, the team includes three new players who will all be in the starting line-up: freshman Chris McGorty, Shane Terry and transfer student Matt Anatasi.

In their 2015 fall season, the team played three non-conference matches in which they went 1-2. Every Division III tennis match is determined by winning the best of nine matches: three doubles matches and six single matches.

In the three fall games, Terry played the five singles position, McGorty played number four singles and Anatasi stepped into the role of being the team’s number one player.

Even though the team had an under .500 record in the fall, head coach Elora Benfer feels confident the team is positioned for a great year.

“I truly believe this team has the potential to reach the conference finals,” said Benfer.

Not only is Anatasi their number one single players he is also a full-time tennis instructor at Sportsplex – a gym and tennis club in New Windsor – and an Education/English major. Anatasi says opponents often underestimate him because he is 5 feet 5 inches and under 130 pounds. However, Matt’s speed, timing and consistency allow him to beat some of the stronger and taller players.

When he is not teaching tennis, playing with the team, in the classroom or performing fieldwork, he is working with his co-worker and coach Nick Hummle – the head professional at Sportsplex.

Hummle is also a former professional tennis player and was ranked in the top 500 in the world. Hummle has worked with the women’s tennis team in the past and decided to volunteer some of his time to the men’s team.

“I have been really impressed with the work ethic from the guys this year,” said Hummle. “From the first day I could tell they were a bunch of warriors.”

Terry and McGorty, two Long Island natives, played United States Tennis Association (USTA) tournaments and wanted to bring their talents to the Mount because of the academic programs and the tight-knit community.

“I really felt at home when I visited the Mount,” said McGorty. “I knew it was the school for me.”

The team also features returning seniors Joe Borden and Nate Dimmie. Borden started at six singles in the fall and uses his experience to teach the younger players. In the last three of four seasons, Dimmie has been the second singles player for the team. However, Dimmie took a semester off and returned to the school in the spring of 2015. In the fall of 2015, he returned to his second singles spot and consistently challenges Anatasi for the top position.

The Mount Saint Mary Knights are primed for a winning season with their new additions and returning players. Out of eight teams in the conference, four make the playoffs. Yeshiva University, the two-time defending champion, is the slight favorite to win again this year after beating Farmingdale State University 5-4 in last years’ championships.

The Knights host Berkeley College in their first home game of the semester on Tuesday, March 29 and encourage everyone to swing on by.