The Flying Dutchmen feature a blend of returnees and players new to Hope tennis in a bid to compete for a Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA championship.
Coach Steve Gorno begins his 20th season with a squad that has no seniors. The roster is evenly divided with three juniors, three sophomores and three freshmen.
The 2011 Flying Dutchmen finished third in MIAA seasonal standings and the league's NCAA qualifying tournament. The team was 12-14 in dual matches. The team also excelled in the classroom as they were named to the academic honor rolls of the MIAA and Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA).
Returning letterwinners include sophomore Parker Bussies of Zeeland (Zeeland West HS), sophomore Gabe Casher of Ann Arbor (Pioneer HS), junior Robert Cawood of East Lansing (East Lansing HS), junior Kyle Kreps of Holland (Holland HS), and junior David Vanderveen of Clarkston (Clarkston HS).
The season will begin a month-long series of indoor matches before the team travels to Orlando, Fla. for their annual spring break schedule.
Hope athletic facilities will soon be joined by a new outdoor te nis complex. The courts will be located close to Hope's DeWitt Tennis Center and will consist of 12 courts, an officials' shelter and elevated seating for spectators. Construction of the new complex is expected to be completed by next summer.