WILKES-BARRE – The Wilkes University men's and women's tennis teams kick off their spring seasons this weekend in Hilton Head, South Carolina competing in their third campaign in the Landmark Conference under six-time Landmark Coach of the Year Scott Veith. Veith enters his second season at the helm of the Colonel program.
 
"We're ready to go," Veith said of the team's excitement to get the season underway. "We've got a mix of underclassmen and veterans on the team who are excited to get coached, and we're looking forward to it."
 
Both teams kickoff spring action on Sunday, March 1 against Shawnee State University at 12:30 p.m. as part of their spring break trip.
 
Men's Preview
The Wilkes men's team finished last season with a 6-10 overall record standing 3-6 in Landmark play. This fall Wilkes went 1-0 in dual match play with a 5-2 victory over Marywood University in early October.
 
This season, the eight-man squad is comprised of four first-years, two sophomores, and two juniors.
 
"This is year one of a complete rebuild for Wilkes men's tennis," said Veith. "Only two of our men were part of the program last spring. The rest are getting up to speed on how we do things here in this era of Wilkes tennis. But, they're a fun group, and they're really gelling as a unit going into spring break."
 
"We've got a few things to figure out with the lineup, but we've got a pretty good idea of who we're going to rely on to score team points for us this spring," Veith added.
 
Cole Riley (Louisville, KY/Xavier) and Sebastian Sylvester (Diego Martin, Trinidad and Tobago/The College of Lady Fatima) make up the two juniors on the roster, providing experience and leadership to the group. The duo went 6-1 in double splay this fall. Riley will anchor the top spot in the singles lineup while Sylvester holds down No. 2 singles. Sylvester went 3-1 in single splay this fall while Riley finished 1-2.
 
Sophomore Otarhe Okoh (Shakopee, MN/Shakopee) saw lots of time as a rookie and will continue to hold down the No. 4/5 singles position in the lineup this spring. Okoh owns a 2-1 mark in singles play this fall. First-year Landon Gleichauf (Naples, NY/Naples) will also see time at No. 4/5 in the lineup after going 2-1 this fall.
 
First-year Xavier Bleiler (Mountain Top, PA/MMI Prep) owns a 2-1 record in singles play this fall and will split time at No. 2/3 with Sylvester in the lineup. First-year Luke Meissner (Eldersburg, MD/Liberty) and sophomore Cole Larcinese (King of Prussia, PA/Methacton) complete the singles lineup at No. 5/6 going with Meissner going 2-2 in fall play.
 
Luis Delgado (Wilkes Barre, PA/Wilkes Barre Area) will also vie for time in the Wilkes lineup after finishing 0-1 in his one match this fall.
 
Women's Preview
The Wilkes women's tennis team finished last season with an 8-9 overall record and 3-6 mark in Landmark matches. This fall the women's squad went 1-2 overall with a 5-2 victory over Marywood in early October.
 
This year the 12-woman squad is comprised of seven first-years, two sophomores and three juniors.
 
"I'm excited about our women's team this season," mentioned Veith. "We are young, but also very coachable and learning quickly. This team is a special group, and I've got high hopes for this spring," he added.
 
Ana Savkovic (Belgrade, Serbia/The Hoosac School) tops the lineup playing No. 1 singles standing a perfect 6-0 in singles competition this fall including capturing the No. 1 singles title at the King's Invitational.
 
Julia Spaeth (Hamburg, NY/Hamburg Area) will hold down the No. 2 singles spot in the lineup after going 2-3 this fall.
 
No. 3 through 7 in the lineup will be an interchangeable mix of Isabel Schreffler (Downingtown, PA/Downingtown West), Ava Vacula (Exeter, PA/Wyoming Area Secondary Center), Kensington Edmond (Mount Joy, PA/Donegal), Kayley Skibicki (Hanover, PA/South Western) and Isabella Bopp (Verona, NJ/Verona).
 
Wanda Owens (Lancaster, PA/Hempfield), Eva Winters (York, PA/Red Land), Breanna Herdine (Haslet, TX/) and Rebecca Gula (Exeter, PA/Wyoming Area) will also add depth to the lineup in both singles and doubles competition.