A new coach, a new year, a new outlook.

The Saint Louis University men’s and women’s tennis teams are looking for marked improvement this year, as Derek Mills begins his first year as head coach.

“We want to compete as hard as we can and get to the conference tournament,” Mills said. “Our main focus is improving our record in conference.”

The Billiken tennis team seems poised to shake things up. The men have a good mix of youth and experience.

Senior Bill Tanurchis is the returning No. 1 and looks to put up big numbers again. The only player to finish with a winning record (13-5), Mills expects Tanurchis to be a big contributor in his final season.

“Bill will be our number one or number two,” Mills said.

Competing for the No. 1 spot is senior transfer student G. T. Cozard. Cozard transferred from nationally ranked Purdue University this year to pursue a degree in business administration. Cozard finished his career with a singles record of 13-16 and a doubles mark of 20-34.

“G.T. only has one semester, but he’ll be playing the number one or number two,” Mills said.

Senior Mike Leise also is expected to have a large role in the Billiken season is senior Mike Leise. Leise saw most of his singles play at the No. 3, but also saw some time at the No. 2 seed.

Finishing with a singles record of 9-9 overall, Mills is looking forward to what Leise can do.

“Mike will be high up,” Mills said. “He’ll be a contributor.”

Adding depth to the spring line-up will be junior Jeff Harper. Harper spent the fall semester studying abroad and should aid the Billikens at the No. 5 and 6 spots.

Also adding to that depth will be three sophomores and two freshmen. Sophomore doubles partners Jamie and Jason Vasquez should help the Billiken effort to win doubles.

The women’s team is looking to improve from a year ago when they lost 12 matches in a row. They started off on the right foot as they crushed Eastern Illinois, 9-0.

“It was a good way to start the spring,” Mills said.

Sophomore Julie Siemers won her match in perfect sets, 6-0, 6-0. Not to be outdone, freshman Vicki Zielinski answered back with a 6-0, 6-0 victory of her own.

Senior Courtney Hague was close to perfection as she was victorious 6-1, 6-1.

Mills is expecting good things from his veterans.

“Courtney has been the number one player over the past few years,” Mills said. “She’s in great shape and should have a good year.”

Hague didn’t play the latter part of last spring since she was suffering from mononucleosis. Her senior campaign should see marked improvement from her 8-9, No. 1 record last year.

Stepping up to the No. 2 spot is senior Andra Wilcox. Wilcox finished last season with an overall record of 17-11.

“She had been playing our four, but now has moved up to the number two spot,” Mills said.

Also making strides for the Billikens are Siemers and Zielinski.

“Julie will be our number three,” Mills said. “Zielinski will make a big impact.”

The Billikens have now set their sights on Northern Arizona as they travel to Phoenix.

“Northern Arizona is in our region, and last year they beat us pretty handily,” Mills said. “We need the win.”