WASHINGTON, Pa. -- The Washington & Jefferson College men's tennis team makes its long-await return after a shorted 2019-20 season. The Presidents begin their 2021 campaign at Westminster on Sunday, March 14.
 
Coach Megan Foster begins her first season as the head tennis coach at W&J. She inherits a talented roster for the 2021 spring season.
 
"The men's team has been such a huge help to me," said Foster. This was the first time the men's and women's teams practiced together and it has really helped us all bond and get to know each other. All the athletes were ready to compete and learn what they needed to become a better player."
 
2020 Season Review: The Presidents were limited two just two competition dates in the 2019-20 season. W&J hosted Mount Aloysius and Waynesburg on Sept. 28 and Penn State Altoona on Feb. 29.
 
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Presidents' season was ended in March.
 
"The men were anxious to compete in the fall and when that didn't happen it was disappointing to them," said Foster. "But we were not going to let it affect us. We made the tennis courts our safe place to get out, get some fresh air and hit the ball. They have been disciplined and diligent with practice, determined to raise the level of play for themselves. Us not playing helped our team, giving us time to find a routine/rhythm allowing them some time to understand what I expected of them."
 
The Presidents graduated three seniors from the roster in 2020, including No. 3 singles player Stephen Mahlbaum who was an All-PAC Second Team performer in singles and doubles in 2019.
 
Team Captains: Nathan Wang
 
Returners: The Presidents welcome back six returners from the 2019-20 team, including a pair of All-PAC honorees from 2019.
 
Senior Nate Wang (Venetia, Pa./Peters Township) was the 2019 PAC Player of the Year and an All-PAC First Teamer in singles and doubles play. He was 13-3 at No. 1 singles and was 7-0 in conference play.
 
"Couldn't have asked for a better athlete to have on my team being new here at W&J," said Foster. "I knew Nate from juniors and he has always been a leader. Nate's strengths on and off court go above and beyond. He loves tennis and knows the importance of incorporating sport and academics. Utilizing tennis as an outlet. Nate's game is extremely strong and he playing the way he does brings out the best in the rest of them team."
 
Senior Sam Bellini (Pittsburgh, Pa./Mt. Lebanon) joined Wang on the All-PAC First Team at No. 2 singles. He went 10-3 and a perfect 7-0 in PAC play in singles competition.
 
"Sam's game is amazing to watch," said Foster. "He has an extremely busy semester and when he is at practice you wouldn't even know. Sam can get any ball, short or deep and makes it look so easy. His demeanor on court is so positive, I can't wait to watch him play singles and doubles with senior Brenden Head."
 
Wang and Bellini teamed as the Presidents' top doubles pairing and posted a 12-4 record with a 7-0 mark in conference play. The Duo were named All-PAC First Team at No. 1 doubles.
 
Senior Derek Bedillion (Claysville, Pa./McGuffey), juniors James Gunn and William Gunn (Beaver Falls, Pa./Riverside) and sophomore Jacob Black (McKees Rocks, Pa./Montour) return for 2021. Bedillion and James Gunn have competed for the Presidents in the past. William Gunn and Black will make their W&J debuts this spring.
 
"The Gunn brothers Jimmy and Billy have really stepped their game up, concentrating a lot on perfecting their strokes and tactical game," said Foster. "We have Derek Bedillion who is our team manager, his game has really amped up."
 
Newcomers: W&J welcomes a trio of newcomers in 2021.
 
"Brenden Head (senior) was recruited this year has a lot to offer the team," said Foster. "Same as the freshman Nolan Rehrig (freshman) playing doubles with Nate Wang. Tyee McMasters (freshman) and Jacob Black (sophomore) all have been working hard to better their game."
 
Sr. Brenden Head (Tustin, Calif./El Capitan)
Fr. Tyree McMaster (Waynesburg, Pa./Waynesburg Central)
Fr. Nolan Rehrig (Carbon, Pa./Jim Thorpe Area)
 
Looking at the Schedule: The Presidents are scheduled to play an eight match, PAC-only schedule in spring 2021. W&J will host six of eight opponents, only traveling to Westminster (March 14) and Grove City (April 14).
 
The Janet Swanson Tennis Center is the host site for the PAC Tournament's semifinal and championship rounds. The PAC Tournament begins with the conference quarterfinals on April 27, with the semifinals and championship matches on April 30 and May 1.
 
PAC newcomer Franciscan will compete in men's for the first time in 2020. The Barons won the last seven-consecutive AMCC men's tennis titles. In 2019, Franciscan went 6-0 in AMCC play captured the conference championship.
 
Last Word: "I'm very hopeful for the men to go out there and play their hearts out," said Foster. "They are extremely pumped up to play and time will only tell what we need to work on as matches go on. I really want to take one day at a time right now focusing on them because I know how important it is to them to do well. They've waited a long time for this season to run and we want it to be a successful one."