With approximately a third of their season complete, the Storm men’s tennis team is ready to get back into action after spring break.

The Simpson men went 1-1 on March 9 versus Cornell and Upper Iowa. They lost 7-0 to Cornell, but then defeated Upper Iowa 7-0.

In the Upper Iowa contest, sophomore Garrett Piklapp, sophomore David Venables, freshman Andrew Merrill, freshman Cory Veen, junior Justin Terry and sophomore Peter Rowles all won their singles matches. Picklapp and Veen, Merrill and Venables, and Terry and Rowles won their doubles matches.

The men’s tennis squad scheduled their season full of tough competition in an effort to get them ready for the next level early.

“We’ve played some tough competition,” said senior co-captain James McNeal. “We stacked our schedule to increase our level of play.”

The men hope that with the tough schedule, they will continue to improve on their current record. “We will improve throughout the rest of the season. Coe, Luther, and Central are pretty strong competition in the conference,” said McNeal.

Even with the tough competition, the men have high expectations.

“Right now we’re looking to shoot for third in the IIAC,” said McNeal.

The men now stand at 1-2 in conference play, and have an overall record of 2-3. Their second conference lost occurred against Buena Vista on Feb. 16, with a score of 4-3.

“Our doubles play is doing well, and we are working on an effective first serve,” said HeadCoach Bob Nutgrass. “In our singles play, we need more consistency and more winners.”

The Storm men are led by co-captains McNeal and Skalland.

“James is a leader for us on and off the court,” said Coach Nutgrass.

“He is also a student coach, and makes sure we stay intense during practice. Sam is in the number one position on the team, and he is also looked to as a leader.”

The next match for the Storm men is at Wartburg on March 22 and at Dubuque and Loras on the 23.