WILKES-BARRE, PA (March 19, 2021) – The King's College men's tennis team opens its 2021 campaign on March 20 at home against local rival Wilkes University at Kirby Park, but it's been a long time since the Monarchs have been able to take the courts at home in a competitive match. In fact, Saturday's match with Wilkes will be the first home match since October 20, 2019.

It will be an exciting time for a team that has seem some lineups change over the last couple of seasons. Now graduated Tyler Millan was the team's No. 1 player for the previous four seasons, as he finished his career with a 64-14 overall record. Also graduated is Cameron Tuck, who was a solid depth player for the Monarchs and was strong in doubles.

The King's team finished 1-8 overall last year, but also lost Millan for the second semester due to a basketball injury. That forced many players to play up in the lineup, but at the same time that experience playing higher in the lineup will come in handy in 2021.

Senior Austin Mackey along with now sophomore Logan Gregory were the two players that moved up and alternated at the No. 1 spot last year with Millan out of action. Those two will likely vie for the top position this year, as Mackey has a strong career record of 31-22. He has also chalked up 23 victories in doubles, including earning nine at the No. 1 position.

Gregory only started with the Monarchs in the second semester of 2020, but again had a strong prep career in high school and should play high in the lineup. King's strength this year will be the depth throughout the lineup though, as it sports four players that have each played extensively during their careers.

Junior Nick Harth has played up and down the lineup for King's, but mostly has settled in at the No. 3 position over his career. Harth is 6-11 at the No. 3 position but has also been a standout in doubles earning 14 wins while going 5-4 in his career at the No. 1 doubles spot. Harth is athletic and his natural leadership abilities will come in handy this season.

Fellow junior Nick Holland has been a constant contributor in the lower half of the ladder for King's during his career, as he has played in 33 matches in singles along with 26 doubles matches. Holland is 10-16 as a doubles player, including earning a 4-4 record at No. 3 as a sophomore.

Holland's exclusive doubles partner in 2020 also returns this season, as senior Jason Homschek is back for his final season with the Monarchs. Homschek's consistent game and great ability to keep plays alive has kept him up and down the lineup, as he has posted a 28-33 record for King's during his career in singles. He has also been strong in doubles, going 11-11 at No. 3 doubles while posting 23 career pairs wins.

Junior Sam Cadman joined the roster last year in 2020, but was unable to play in any matches due to the CoVID-19 shutdown. He will debut this year for the Monarchs, joining a pair of first-year players in Joe Lennon and Aidan Temple.

The Monarchs will play a Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC)-exclusive schedule in 2021, taking on all seven Freedom squads while also battling MAC Commonwealth school York College of Pennsylvania Saturday, March 27 in York. King's will host six of the seven MAC Freedom matches at Kirby Park, with the lone road match coming April 20 at Arcadia University.

The Monarchs and head coach Bill Eydler, now in his 42^nd season as the head coach of the King's program, will play in the MAC Freedom Tournament at the end of the season as well with tournament dates to be determined.