And on the seventh day God made the swinging volley.

That's right folks, the men's tennis season is in full swing even though our shy friend spring has not decided to show his/her face yet.

Nonetheless the Oles have managed to stride out to a 2-0 record with impressive victories over Concordia-Moorhead College and Saint John's University. The Oles have found a good balance of older players and new arrivals to produce a goal oriented team that has set the bar at a new level.

The Oles had a solid season last year ending up in third place in the MIAC and just missing the playoffs.

The Oles have welcomed three new players to the team to complement their core of returning players. After a very competitive tryout in the fall three first-years emerged as the group that was to complement this already deep squad.

First-years Tom and Ted Nagel, "the twins," are from Illinois. They arrived on campus after finishing in second place last year at the Illinois state doubles championships. Their arrival has had an immediate impact on the team and no one is complaining about the two for one deal. First-year Dan Cohen is the third newcomer to the team.

The Oles have five returning players from last year led by the senior captain and first singles player Pete Nau. Juniors Tim Smith, Karl Wilbur and Brandon Hall, along with sophomore Peder Thoen, are also in the mix.

It was the mature play of this group that helped guide the Oles to their first victory of the season when they traveled to Concordia.

The Oles clobbered Concordia 6-1 in a match that Brandon Hall said, "we needed to win, we know our potential and this was a big step in moving towards our goals."

The Oles then traveled to Collegeville to take on St. John's, a team that was expected to give the Oles a good fight. The Johnnies team put up solid resistance but it was the mental strength of the Oles that proved to be the key to victory.

The Oles outlasted the Johnnies and ended up winning six matches to one. In a match that had three of the six singles matches go to a decisive third set.

Coach Scott Nesbit said, "We acted in a mature manner out there." This maturity is what has seemed to be the key for the Oles thus far this season.

In the coming months, look forward to an exciting season of men's tennis and don't be surprised when you see this group of men hovering around the top of the MIAC standings.