Boone, N.C. -  Appalachian State University men's tennis will begin the season on the road for a 12 p.m. serve against UNC Wilmington at the UNCW Tennis Complex.

The Apps will look for their first season-opening win since a 7-0 victory over Libery in the 2010-11 season on Feb. 4, 2011.

Returning for his 16th season at the helm, head coach Bob Lake will have a squad that brings back eight of nine student-athletes and one newcomer that is poised to contend for a Sun Belt Championship.Appalachian compiled a 10-12 record last season and will look to bounce back with a core that features four all-Sun Belt selections, including reigning Freshman of the Year Scott Webster.

Webster finished the season18-4 en route to becoming the first player since Matt Lucas(1998) to garner the honor. Webster also went on to earn all-second team doubles with parnter, Jack Maddocks. The duo posted a 10-4 mark as the No. 2 pair on the squad that gave them the award.

Senior Oliver Casey returns after posting a 12-9 record in the No. 1 slot while earning second team singles and doubles for his third-straight all-conference award. Casey partnered up with Trey Morris as the tandem received the  accolade with an 8-4 mark as the No. 3 in the lineup.

Amongst those returning for the lineup is senior Zach Bost, Jan-Willem Kleynhans and Steve Lake. Heading into the season, the tandem of Webster and Kleynhans landed into the Carolina region's top 10 after a solid fall slate. Newcomer Alex Brea will look to add a spark to the squad. A graduate from Providence Day in Charlotte, N.C., Brea compiled an impressive record of 78-9 in a four-year career at his alma mater.

UNCW was the highest-ranked opponent (50th)  the Apps played and one of three-ranked teams Appalachian played last season. The Seahawks dealt Appalachian a 7-0 setback. UNCW finished 2014-15 with an 11-8 record, including a 7-1 mark at home.

Appalachian will open up the home slate next Saturday against Lees-McRae at 9 a.m.