The Penn State Altoona men's tennis team is ready to embark on its 2021-22 season. After having last year's schedule abbreviated and condensed into the spring semester due to COVID-19, the Lions will get back to their typical schedule that consists of matches during the fall and spring semesters.

Penn State Altoona posted a 2-4 overall record last season, including a 2-2 mark in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference that helped the team earn a berth into the conference playoffs. This season, the Lions' roster features three returners who project to be regulars in the lineup, as well as five newcomers who will compete for time and add depth.

Returning from last season are senior Kirk Eichenlaub (Hollidaysburg, PA/Hollidaysburg), junior Micah Brinker (Lock Haven, PA/PA Cyber), and sophomore Jake Irwin (Hollidaysburg, PA/Hollidaysburg). Eichenlaub was a first team All-AMCC selection in the No. 6 singles spot last spring, a position where he went 4-0 overall, and he finished with a 2-1 overall record in No. 3 doubles. Brinker added two singles wins and two doubles wins, while Irwin posted three singles wins and one doubles win.

"We will rely on Kirk, Micah, and Jake to provide leadership and consistency in both doubles and singles," said fourth-year Penn State Altoona men's tennis head coach Megan Stern. "With Eichenlaub being undefeated at No. 6 singles last year, I look to him again for success in singles deep in our lineup."

Penn State Altoona also adds five first-year players to its roster this season: Tommy Davis (Memphis, TN/Collierville), Luis Escobar (Mount Sinai, NY/Mount Sinai), Vincent Escobar (Mount Sinai, NY/Mount Sinai), Casey Hess (Annville, PA/Annville-Cleona), and Joey Toth (South Park, PA/South Park).

"We have five newcomers coming in with a lot of talent and great potential. Tommy and Joey will make a great No. 1 doubles team and will also provide us with strong singles play at the top of our lineup," Stern explained. "We have also added Casey to our lineup, and he will add some depth. Fellow newcomers Vincent and Luis will also provide depth in our lineup."

Penn State Altoona will start its season this fall, competing in three dates before breaking for the winter. The Lions open their 2021-22 season in Latrobe, Pa. this Saturday, September 11, taking part in the Saint Vincent College Invitational. On Wednesday, September 29, Penn State Altoona hosts non-conference opponent Juniata College for a 4:00 p.m. match, and the Lions finish the fall with a home match against AMCC foe Pitt-Bradford on Sunday, October 3 at 1:00 p.m.

Penn State Altoona returns to action in the spring semester with home matches against AMCC opponents Penn State Behrend (Saturday, March 26 at 1:00 p.m.), Mount Aloysius College (Sunday, March 27 at 12:00 p.m.), and Pitt-Greensburg (Sunday, April 17 at 12:00 p.m.), as well as road matches against AMCC foe Medaille College (Sunday, March 13 at 1:00 p.m.) and non-conference opponents Geneva College (Saturday, April 2; start time TBA) and Juniata (Wednesday, April 13 at 5:00 p.m.). Additional matches may be added to the team's schedule for the spring.

"I am very excited for our upcoming men's tennis season. We have a great group of guys who are motivated to win matches and get better each practice," said Stern. "I look forward to seeing where this season takes us."