Senior James Davis brings veteran leadership to the 2009 Big Red men's tennis team.

With a lineup compiled of veteran leadership and a solid group of young players, the Denison men's tennis team looks to return to the top of the North Coast Athletic Conference in 2009.

Serving as the primary leaders for the Big Red are the senior tandem of Jordan Buehler (Wooster, Ohio/Wooster) and James Davis (Toledo, Ohio/St. John's Jesuit).

"Everyone in the starting lineup other then Buehler and Davis are freshmen or sophomores," head coach Peter Burling said. "We will be hard pressed to copy the leadership of Davis and Buehler. They have changed the complexion of the team and have brought the guys a lot closer."

Buehler was a second-team All-NCAC selection in 2008 after going 4-10 in the very tough No. 1 singles. Davis, a first-team all-league choice, boasted an 11-7 record last season, with eight of those victories coming in the second flight. As a team, the senior duo went 9-3 at second doubles en route to second-team all-conference recognition. So far this season, Buehler and Davis have gone 2-1 in the first flight.

Other returnees looking to make an impact this year are sophomores Jared Connolly (Oak Park, Ill./Oak Park and River Forest), Nate Hobrath (Strongsville, Ohio/Walsh Jesuit) and Evan Verbofsky (Pittsburgh, Pa./Fox Chapel Area). Connolly has proved to be a solid double player already this season with a 2-0 mark. After posting a 3-1 record a year ago, Hobrath vaulted himself into a starting role at the third singles flight. Verbofsky went 11-5 in 2008 as he bounced back-and-forth between No. 5 and 6 singles. In the early stages of the year the honorable mention All-NCAC selection has resumed that role, competing in both flights.

In addition to the experienced group returning, Burling brings in a solid collection of freshman. One of the highlights of that first-year class is Tyler Cempre (Worthington, Ohio/Thomas Worthington). Cempre brings a wealth of experience into Granville and has already posted a 2-1 record at No. 4 singles. Cempre has also teamed with Hobrath to post a 2-1 mark at the second flight.

"We knew Cempre was going to be great for us," Burling stated. "He was the 35th-ranked player in the midwest for USTA last year. He is a very seasoned player and is very crafty."

Also looking to make an impact during their rookie campaigns are Matt McErlean (Hudson, Ohio/Hudson), Tim Martin (Oak Park, Ill./Oak Park and River Forest) and Tom Cawood (East Lansing, Mich./East Lansing).

"Matt McErlean has jumped into a starting role in singles and could still factor into the doubles mix," the DU coach said. "Matt is really proving he wants to play. Tim is a big kid out of Chicago and has been starting at No. 3 doubles. He is also right on the verge of cracking into singles play.

"Tom had a phenomenal fall season for us," Burling said. "He was fourth on our ladder in the fall, but we also knew he wanted to play two sports. We are hoping he can come back strong because he was a force during fall and he brings a serve of about 120 mph."

The Big Red are ranked 24th in the latest ITA National rankings. DU was also selected to finish second in the NCAC Preseason Poll behind reigning team champion Kenyon.

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