Heading into action this weekend, both the men’s and women’s tennis teams are off to a much stronger start compared to a year ago.

Both of head tennis coach Michael Hunt’s teams have gotten off to a solid start in the spring season with wins last weekend. The men’s team, in particular, has made drastic improvements compared to a year ago as the Panthers (2-2, 1-0) defeated NAIA schoool Freed-Hardeman 4-3 and Ohio Valley Conference foe Austin Peay.

“We have a lot of confidence going into this weekend after beating Austin Peay,” Hunt said. “Last year we lost to Austin Peay twice in the conference last year and I think they definitely took us lightly and we came in and took it to them.”

Hunt as four new faces taking the court on the men’s team this season. Two of those players, the new No. 1 player Blazej Tondel from Poland and No. 4 player Ilyes Hassib, who is originally from morocco, transferred in this semester.

“They are both two pieces to this year’s puzzle that we would have liked to have in the fall but for different reasons weren’t able to come until this semester,” Hunt said.

“Blazej is playing No. 1 for us and is a legitimate threat at No. 1, and I truly feel can be one of the op players in the OVC,” he said. “Ilyes is our No. 4 guy who has tremendous experience and really gives us a lot of depth and has really helped us out with doubles.”

The other two newcomers on the men’s side are freshmen C.J. Weber from Teutopolis and Brandon Blankenbaker from Casey.

“I couldn’t be more happy with them,” Hunt said of his two freshmen. “They have done even more than I ever expected of them.”

Hunt’s women (4-2, 0-1) defeated Freed-Hardeman 7-2 last weekend before falling 6-1 to Austin Peay. The women also have plenty of new faces on the team this season.

No. 1 player Becky Brunner has come in and already won 13 matches this year, more than any other woman won all last season.

“Becky also won two tournaments in the fall and has beaten No. 1 players from Southern Illinois and Northern Illinois,” Hunt said. “She’s just been a great player for us.

Caryn Hague from Evanston, Ind. has also been a pleasant addition to the women’s team.

“She’s a very talented player that has given us some great depth in singles,” Hunt said. “She’s a very aggressive player that has brought a little bit of attitude to the team, which has been a positive.”

Amber Lenfert has also been another great newcomer for Hunt, although she injured her leg and was forced to retire in her match at Austin Peay. Lenfert is set to have an MRI, but Hunt said doctors are concerned it may be an anterior cruciate ligament tear. If that’s the case, her season will likely come to an abrubt end.

“Amber’s injury was pretty devastating for us both metnally and emotionally and without that injury and if we get a couple breaks, we’re right in there with Austin Peay,” he said. “She’s a powerful player who’s about 6-feet tall and has a serve as good as many of our guy players. She’s also an outstanding doubles player which really makes it a shame if we lose her for the season.

Hunt’s teams now look ahead to a busy weekend. The women will take on Chicago State and DePaul on Saturday before taking on the University of Illinois-Chicago on Sunday.

“The women have a tough weekend ahead of them, no doubt about it,” Hunt said. “Chicago State should be down this year, but DePaul was nationally ranked this year and are a very young team.

“They have four freshman that are very talented and they play a killer schedule,” he said. “UIC is nationally ranked and we’re just hoping to gain some experience so hopefully when we get in situations where we have to play top teams in the OVC, it won’t be as intimidating.”

The men will travel to Chicago State on Friday before taking on the University of Indianapolis on Saturday and Butler on Sunday.

“Chicago State is a very good team that also recruited well this year,” Hunt said. “It will be a tough match but with the depth of our team, I think we can take them.”

University of Indianapolis, who is ranked among the top Division II schools, will not be a team to overlook, Hunt said.

“They will give us all we want and if we don’t take them absolutely dead serious, they’ll jump up and bite us,” he said. “And with Butler, I’m not really sure how we’ll stack up against them.

“They’re one of the top teams in the region and I think we’re close talent-wise, but they have a lot of experience,” Hunt said. “I’m optimisitic, but I’m not sure how we’ll end up matchin up.”