NEWARK, NJ – A solid returning nucleus coupled with some promising newcomers has Rutgers-Newark men's tennis coach Kenneth Graham optimistic about his second season.

Senior captain Brian Barbera and Kashyap Patel each return for their fourth seasons in Scarlet & Black to bolster a young roster which also includes junior Nate Kijpatanasilp. Barbera posted a 5-5 mark in singles, predominately on the fifth flight and tallied a 5-4 doubles mark. Patel was 5-3 in doubles play while recording a 1-4 singles record. Kajpatanasilp notched a 3-2 record in singles.

Junior Gafar Ayinde had a team-best 6-3 singles record in his first season for the Scarlet Raiders (5-5) while junior Arjun Sapra, a late addition to the team, went 3-1 on the second flight.

Missing from the lineup from last season will be No. 1 singles player Kevin Santos and regular second flight starter Lam Nguyen, but there are young players ready to fill the void.

Freshman Raymond Postadan brings a 4-year record of 50-11 from Roselle Park High School, and he is the probable first-flight starter for Saturday's season-opening match against Baruch College at the U.S. Tennis Center in Flushing, Queens.

Another rookie figuring into the early lineup is William Chueng, an academic sophomore from Kearny who looks like the probable regular on the No. 4 singles court.

Veterans Brendan Francisco, Juan Garcia and Mario Bodoy return to the roster along with freshman Kendall St. Ange who lettered at nearby St. Benedict's Prep.