KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan men's tennis (11-4) will begin its quest to take back the Mid-American Conference Championship this weekend as league play starts up. The Broncos open at Toledo on Friday, March 16 at 2 p.m. and conclude the weekend with a neutral site match against Buffalo in Toledo on Saturday, March 17 at 1 p.m.

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Last season Western Michigan finished second in the conference before falling 4-3 to the Bulls in the MAC championship after finishing 16-8 overall, 6-1 in the conference and 11-4 at home. This season the Broncos were picked to be crowned MAC Regular Season champions according to the Preseason Coaches' Poll that was released back on Jan. 17.  

The Broncos enter the weekend at 11-4 overall but are 3-4 on the road and recently dropped in the latest ITA rankings to 45th after being tabbed as high as 31st back on Feb. 20. Toledo is 3-9 coming into the weekend while Buffalo is 6-4.

In singles play, Matej Svjetlicic leads the team with a 21-6 record and an impressive 14-1 record this spring having won five straight matches. Senior Maik Steiner and sophomore Jannik Opitz also both have 20-win seasons to lead Western Michigan. Steiner has played all but one match at No. 1 for the Broncos this season and is 7-5 in dual-match play but has lost three straight.

Doubles team Eric Olivarez and Nick Schnobel are the only Broncos to have double digit wins this year. The pair are 12-6 together this season with a 6-3 record in dual-match play but are riding a two-game losing streak.

The Broncos will host Northern Illinois on Friday, March 23 at 1 p.m. before welcoming UIC and Wayne State on Tuesday, March 27.