Oberlin, Ohio – First-year Head Coach Eric Ishida looks to lead an underclassmen-laden Oberlin College men's tennis team back into the North Coast Athletic Conference forefront.
 
Ishida, who took over the program in August, has already seen steady improvement from his players throughout the fall season and into the winter. “Everyone on the team has bought into the system thus far and I feel we will see some positive results because of it.”
 
Junior Charlie Marks returns as the team's most experienced player and is slated to be at the top of the lineup throughout the season. The Chagrin Falls, Ohio, native was an All-NCAC Honorable-Mention selection as a freshman in 2011. Last season he racked up 11 singles wins and was a part of nine victories in doubles play. In the fall he tallied three victories in tournament play.
 
“Charlie is a guy who I will lean on a lot and look to be the leader of our team,” Ishida said. “He is very committed to the program and is always looking to improve his game.”
 
Senior Ben Turchin is back and provides solid experience in the middle of the lineup. A strong doubles player, he was a part of 17 wins a season ago. “Ben has looked very strong during the preseason and is in the right mindset to have a very successful senior season,” Ishida said. “He provides good leadership, having been around the team and conference for a long time. I look for him to be towards the top of the lineup.” 
 
Coming off an impressive rookie season, sophomore Soren Zeliger is poised for even greater success this season.  He finished second on the team with 13 wins a season ago, playing in positions three through six. He and Marks also combined for nine wins in doubles action. “Soren is a player who I am really excited to see this year as he has a big game and his hard work in the offseason should result in a big payoff.”
 
Adding to the experience of the Yeomen roster is senior Eliot Heaton, but he was away from the team last year. Heaton last played during the 2010-11 season and turned in seven wins in singles and nine in doubles. Second-year player Daniel Bloch is also back, but saw limited action as a freshman. “Eliot and Dan are solid returning players and I am certain their experience will be called upon this year.”
 
The Yeomen roster features five fresh faces who got their first taste of collegiate tennis during two tournaments this fall.  The rookie class includes Callan Louis, Paul Goebel, Brandon McKenna, Parker Oka-Wong and Eli Rogatz.
 
“This group of first-years is highly talented and hopefully they continue to improve each day,” Ishida added. “I have high expectations for them all and believe they will come in and contribute from day one.”
 
Oberlin opens the season on Saturday at home against Baldwin Wallace at 12:00 p.m. The team will play six of its first seven matches inside the friendly confines of Heisman Field House before heading to Hilton Head, South Carolina for spring break.