Jan. 16, 2004

Chicago, Ill. The University of Illinois at Chicago men's tennis team kicks off the spring portion of their 2003-04 schedule today, taking on crosstown rival DePaul at the Lakeshore Athletic Club at 6 p.m.

Head Coach Hans Neufeld, the 2003 Horizon League Co-Coach of the Year, leads a talented bunch of exciting newcomers and seasoned veterans ready to capture a league title. Tough rookies Paul Glendenning and Karol Zarucki, who established themselves as go-to players during the Flames' fall season, are primed to ease the loss of the school's all-time singles winner, Nick Bodmer, who graduated last season.

Zarucki and Glendenning took charge early in the season, becoming the lone UIC singles competitors at the ITA Midwest Regional Championships this past October. Zarucki dropped a close 6-1, 7-5 qualifying match to fourth-seeded Michael Heule of Ball State, while Glendenning battled tough in a 6-3, 6-4 defeat to Valparaiso's Nick Kooyers.

Sophomore Yevgen Ryeznik proved tough as well, culminating his fall season with a doubles appearance with Zarucki at the ITA Championships.

UIC went 1-0 as a team this past fall, downing Chicago State 6-1 on October 8, 2003 in their sole team dual meet to date this season.