LOUISVILLE, Ky. — It's highly unlikely anybody on the Bellarmine University men's tennis team would claim they were satisfied with last season's results. However, as senior co-captain Logan Knott points out, that by no means concludes that 2014 was a lost year.

"I think most of us would say we underperformed the last couple weeks of the season, but that's not necessarily bad because that adds fuel for this upcoming season," Knott said.

Bellarmine finished last season 7-11 overall, including 1-5 in Great Lakes Valley Conference play. The dip was understandable — if not, from the Knights perspective, acceptable — due to a few significant player losses from the previous season.

The good news is one of those losses is back. After being away from Bellarmine last season, two-time All-GLVC selection Anton Rabinov has returned. The senior built a 42-11 record in singles play in his two prior seasons with the Knights, including a 24-5 mark in 2013.

"Two years ago, Anton was arguably one of the top three players in the GLVC as he was runner-up in the Midwest Region of the ITA small college tournament," BU Coach John Mican said. "This is Anton's final season as a college tennis player, and he is going to give it everything he has. Last year we were close in almost every match and now that we will be getting Anton back our ceiling is very high."

Knott said Rabinov's presence on the Knights is valuable beyond the success he brings to the court.

"It wasn't only his talent — he's a good player to watch," Knott said. "He manages himself on the court so well. He stays strong and focused and grinds his opponents down to the ground. He finds their weaknesses early and exploits them throughout the set."

Knott posted a team-high 11 singles wins last season, while senior Jimmy Fernandez racked up 10. That duo combined for a 12-6 mark in doubles play.

"Jimmy and Logan are looking to build on their solid results as a doubles team and at singles," Mican said. "Not too many players in the GLVC hit the ball as hard with accuracy as Jimmy does, and the way Logan mixes up his vast array of shots will keep every opponent off balance."

Senior and co-captain Alan Gardiner (eight total wins in 2014) is back to form after dealing with injury issues last season, while junior Nathan Walroth (10 wins) is another veteran returner.

"Alan, who provides the team with strong direction and leadership, is now 100 percent healthy and a physically fit Alan is going to be a force to be reckoned with," Mican said. "Nathan is at the top of his game now and will have a significant impact in both singles and doubles."

Sophomores Jose Legarreta and Zachary Kuo are coming off impactful freshman campaigns. They went 13-3 as a doubles team and one or the other assumed No. 1 singles duties. Legarreta claimed 10 victories in singles action, and Kuo collected nine.

"The experience that Zachary and Jose gained last spring has shown them that they can play with the elite of the GLVC," Mican said. "That has motivated them to put in maximum effort in practice, and major accomplishments are achievable."

The one new member for Bellarmine is freshman Matthew Momper.

"Matthew has gotten accustomed to the skill level we play at and has recently gained confidence from playing sets and matches in practice," Mican said. "His strong serve makes him an asset on any doubles team."

Bellarmine was picked to finish fifth in the GLVC East in the preseason coaches' poll. With so many proven players returning, the Knights believe they can top that prediction.

"Having Anton back bumps everything up," Gardiner said. "If everyone stays healthy, I expect to finish in the top four of the conference."

Mican said the Knights have been working out like a group that expects a great deal of success this season.

"Our practices have been extremely intense as they push each other to get better," he said. "The team knows we can achieve a tremendous amount this spring if we stay healthy. Having three — and actually four — strong doubles teams will put the men in a position to be competitive in every match."

Knott echoed Mican's sentiment as Bellarmine opens its spring slate on Saturday by hosting Centre College at the Eddie Weber Tennis Complex.

"I hope we can get into close matches and make it interesting," he said. "I think this is a new year, and I think we have a good shot of giving teams a scare."

2015 Bellarmine Men's Tennis Roster
2015 Bellarmine Men's Tennis Schedule
2014 Results
2014 Statistics