By Caleb Scott

ADA — The Ohio Northern men's tennis team will look to continue to move forward and challenge for an Ohio Athletic Conference title in 2017-18 under the guidance of second-year head coach Mike Bonnell.

In his first season as Ohio Northern's first full-time men's tennis head coach, Bonnell guided the Polar Bears to an 11-11 mark and a sixth place finish in the Ohio Athletic Conference.

"Last year was a good learning point for our guys," said head coach Mike Bonnell. "We are really focusing on just being a competitive team this season and pushing to compete for a conference title. We always want that goal on our radar and really want to 'Restore the Roar.' This is a tough and competitive conference and we want to be able to challenge for an OAC championship."

Bonnell will welcome back six letterwinners in 2017-18, led by 2-time letterwinners and juniors Jake Abbott(Kenton), David Hayman (Westerville/South), and Tim Kargl (Downers Grove, Ill./South).

Hayman, a 2016-17 Second Team All-OAC honoree, led the team in singles play last season with a team-best 17 victories, primarily at the Nos. 2 and 3 singles courts.

Abbott, a 2016-17 Scholar ITA Athlete, was tied for second on the team with 12 singles victories, while Kargl, who was named Honorable Mention All-OAC, paced Northern at No. 1 singles with seven victories.

Hayman and Kargl were tied for first on the team with 12 victories each in doubles play, while Abbott also posted double-digit victories in doubles play (10).

Senior letterwinner Cody Hurley (Centerville) will also make his return in 2017-18.

The senior recorded six victories in singles play, and was fourth on the team a season ago with 11 doubles victories.

Sophomore Tyler Frantz (Bellefontaine) and Andrew Garcia (Downers Grove, Ill./South) also return for ONU after lettering in 2016-17.