This will be a season of new looks for the University of Northern Colorado men's tennis program. The men's squad returns only one starter from the top-six singles positions and will be making its venture into the Division I tennis ranks after a stellar run near the top of the Division II ranks.

In the Bears' final season of Division II tennis, UNC went 11-10 in duals and qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the third straight season. UNC also finished second in their swan song at the North Central Conference championships.

The influx of new talent begins at the No. 1 singles' position and newcomer Casey Ross. Ross is a freshman out of Littleton, Colo. Ross spent his final two seasons of high school at the John Newcombe Tennis Academy in New Braunfels, Texas.

"Casey has been a full-time tennis player for most of his prep career and should step right in for us at No. 1 singles and doubles," head coach Jonathan Casper said. "He still needs to get stronger and put in more work on his net game."

The Bears' only returnee among the top-six singles players is sophomore Jeff Hall. Hall played most of last season at No. 6 singles and compiled a singles' record of 9-6.

"Jeff is our most experienced returnee. He is the most athletic player on our team and he makes tennis look very easy." Head Coach Jonathan Casper

"Jeff is our most experienced returnee," Casper said. "He is the most athletic player on our team and he makes tennis look very easy."

Sophomore Peter Weyrich will look to hold down the No. 3 singles spot and saw limited action (4-0) last season for the Bears' in a reserve role. Sophomore Chris Bminihan will look to fill the No. 4 singles' slot after a 2-3 record in limited action as a freshman.

Morgan Surfas

Freshman Morgan Surfas from Tustin, Calif., will be pegged into the No. 5 singles position and junior Mikael Olson will likely hold down the No. 6 singles' slot.

"Morgan has a huge serve and good ground strokes," Casper said. "He will be a nice addition to the lineup and will help since we lost so many starters to graduation."

Casper said this will be a good year to make the leap to Division I tennis.

"This will be a year to learn and play good competitive teams and not worry about records and making the NCAA tournament. Some of our guys are going to struggle as they move up in the singles' positioning but in the long run it will pay off."

The Bears will play plenty of Division I competition in the first-year of the four-year transition to Division I. UNC will open the season at Colorado on Feb. 7. The Bears will play Division I matches against Air Force (Feb. 21), Missouri-Kansas City (Mar. 7), Northern Arizona (Mar. 14) and will close the season at Denver on April 13.