The Gustavus Men’s Tennis team won its 39th MIAC title last season, but it has higher goals for the 2010-2011 season, which begins this weekend.

The Gusties host the 2010 USTA/ITA Regional Championships for the Midwest featuring players from over 20 small colleges in singles and doubles.

“We have a really good team this year with a good group of [first-years]. We want to match the [women] and send players to Nationals,” Junior Dan Pomeranc said.

Out of the 10 Gustavus players competing in the singles draw, five are first-years, including Marcel Gyswyt, Joey Macgibbon, Juan Luis Chu, Bryan Miles and Grant Leisner.

After missing out on the chance to send players to Nationals last year, the Gusties will have a chance to capitalize this weekend.

“Oh man, what an opportunity. We have an exciting, talented team and can match up with everybody,” Junior Brooks Stapleton said.

Even with a relatively young team, the Gusties benefit from plenty of experience as 14 players return, including Pomeranc, Stapleton, top singles player Junior Amrik Donkena, Sophomore Tyler Johnson and Junior Pat Clark.

“I think it’s good that our team has such a great balance between the group of upperclassmen and [first-years]. The [first-years] are really motivated to come in and work and win right away,” Pomeranc said.

“We have an experienced group of players. All the players have played in tournaments and have experience playing in big matches, winning their state tournaments or as runner-up in state tournaments. Tennis is a unique sport where age doesn’t necessarily mean you’re better,” Stapleton said.

The Gustavus Men’s Tennis team will not lose any players after this season and has the opportunity to return to the national stage this year in Head Coach Tommy Valentini’s second year, while also building for next year’s season.

“This fall we want to qualify for Nationals and get back to the top eight. We just want it back, and we have a really talented team to do that,” Pomeranc said.

The end of last season ended on a sour note and resonated with the Gustavus Men’s Tennis team for this year. The Gusties lost in heartbreaking fashion to MIAC rival Carleton in the MIAC Playoffs and failed to qualify for the NCAA Championships. It was Gustavus’s first time failing to clinch the regular season title and playoff title. Despite winning the MIAC regular season title last season, the Gusties are ready to take their game to the next level.

“Losing to Carleton was pretty heartbreaking for us. Personally, it was the toughest moment all of last season,” Pomeranc said. “I don’t want to lose to Carleton, and I want [the title] back. We will do everything in our control to win it all and give full effort.”

However, the Gusties are merely focusing on the ITA Regional Championships this weekend and trying to play to their highest potential.

“[We want to] perform well at the ITAs this weekend. It’s nice to have the core of our team back and lots of talented [first-years]. We want to continue to improve and compete,” Stapleton said.

The ITA Regional Championship is the only fall competition for the Gusties. Then they will have a three-and-a-half month hiatus before the main part of their season in the spring.  The Gusties believe the break between the fall and spring seasons is their opportunity to improve the most and be able to compete with some of the top teams in the country.

“We practice on our own at least three times a week without [Valentini].  We are really motivated to work hard and improve in the offseason because that’s when other teams may relax or take a break in the offseason. We have to keep working and getting better,” Pomeranc said.

“I think the important thing is to keep hitting and try and stay as fit as possible,” Stapleton said.

The Gusties not only have high goals for this weekend’s ITA Regional Championship but also for the spring season and are excited about their potential.

“I just want a chance to go to the National Championship. As a team we just want to do well and do the best we can,” Pomeranc said.

“[I’m excited to] compete with everybody. We have a lot more matches this season, so that will mean everyone will get more playing time,” Stapleton said.

The Gusties will try to live up to their own high expectations this weekend at the ITA Regional Championship held at the Swanson Tennis Center.