Having graduated key performers like Steven Milo '13 and Josh Jordan '13 this past spring, the men's tennis squad knew that it would be in for a rebuilding year.

However, after gaining experience against New England Small College Athletic Conference opponents at this weekend's Intercollegiate Tennis Association Regional Championships, both the men and women are proving that there is ample hope for the future.

"We have a very deep [first-year] class this year," said Brian Granoff '17, who featured in both singles and doubles action for Brandeis. "So far, in the fall season, our top three singles players have been [first-years]. That being said, we are much younger than other teams we compete against. However, our hard work and dedication is making us improve in large strides."

Taking place at Middlebury College, the men's competition featured three Brandeis competitors. First-year Michael Arguello '17 won his first match against Williams College freshman Rohan Shastri, downing his opponent 1-6, 7-6 (5), 6-3.

However, he was unlucky to fall to Tufts University sophomore Nik Telkedzhiev, falling 6-3, 6-2 in a close match. Additionally, classmate Ryan Bunis '17 lost a tight decision in the first round against Wesleyan University freshman Stephen Monk 6-3, 6-4. Granoff dropped a 6-3, 6-0 match to Middlebury senior Alex Johnston.

Despite the fact that two of the three Judges were eliminated in the first round, the losses should be taken with a grain of salt. Teldekzhiev, seeded 15th, downed higher seeds in ninth-ranked Trinity College sophomore Daniel Carpenter and 11th-seeded Middlebury sophomore Brantner Jones.

Similarly, Jones-who knocked out Granoff-was seeded 10th in the event. Given that two of the three Judges opponents were ranked in the top 16 of the event-while the rest of the participants were unranked, it is understandable that they would bow out to quality competition.

Later, Granoff and Arguello teamed up in doubles action, where they were downed 8-1 by a Tufts duo of sophomore Rob Jacobson and freshman Brad Wong.

Despite falling in the tandem competition, Granoff said that the squad is focusing largely on having good doubles performances.

"As a team right now, most of our focus has been on doubles because the three doubles points can make a big difference in terms of the nine total points in duel matches."

Similarly, the women, who competed a couple of hours away at Williams College, featured a trio of competitors in singles action. Roberta Bergstein '14 downed Mount Holyoke College senior Maya Sayarath in a decisive match, winning 6-4, 6-1, before falling to Tufts senior Sam Gann-seeded 14th-6-3, 6-3 in the subsequent round.

Maya Vasser '16 also won her first-round match, beating Babson College freshman Dina Weick in a match that went to three sets, 7-5, 3-6, 10-4. However, like Bergstein, she was defeated in the second round, losing to Williams freshman Linda Shin in a 6-1, 6-0 decision.

Additionally, Allyson Bernstein '14 was downed by Williams junior Rebecca Curran-seeded 15th.

In doubles action, Vasser and Alexa Katz '14 were beaten by Nichols College senior Anna Dyakiv and junior Lindsay Benoit.

Bernstein and Marissa Lazar '14 were also downed by Colby College seniors Tess Perese and Victoria Abel in a first round match.

Despite the squad's inexperience, Granoff believes that the Judges have the making of a good team.

"We're doing well and staying competitive. We know that we're a young team, but we have talented upperclassmen here all working hard to earn a starting position. We're focused and determined to become nationally ranked. As far as the rest of the season goes, we're really looking forward to growing as a team and the [University Athletic Association] Tournament in the spring."

The teams will be back in action on Friday, Oct. 11, when they travel to Bates College in Lewiston, Maine.