Despite losing two of its top players from a year ago and possessing just one senior on this year's roster, Salisbury boys' tennis head coach Rob Benson believes this team is capable of improving on last season.

In 2013, the Falcons put together a 5-9 mark in the Colonial League. They have been on a steady decline since boasting a 10-4 mark in league play back in 2010. In 2011, the Falcons were .500 in the league (7-7), and a year later, they fell to 6-8.

But with a number of new faces highlighting the singles circuit, as well as six returning players from last season, the second-year head coach believes the Falcons have a chance to be one of the top teams in the league.

"I fully expect them to make the team duals," Benson said. "I'll be disappointed if we don't.

"I want everybody to go out and play their best and have fun. That's what I usually ask for. Until I can see a couple of matches, it's kind of difficult."

Two of the top newcomers are freshmen John Yurconic and Mason Groff, both who have experience in the sport. Yurconic will slide into the team's No. 1 singles spot (replacing Henry Rothermel), while Groff will represent the team in No. 3 singles matches.

Both Yurconic and Groff got off to solid starts in the Falcons' season-opening 3-2 victory against Southern Lehigh on Friday. Yurconic defeated Jason Renner (7-5, 6-4) in two sets, while Groff outlasted Austin Piel (6-3, 4-6, 6-2) in three sets.

"We're a stronger team this year because of Mason [Groff] and John Yurconic," Benson said. "They've got some basic strokes, and they play the game."

The top returning singles player from last season is junior Ben Heydt, who will once again be the team's No. 2 singles player. Last season, Heydt won his first-round match in district singles play against Jim Thorpe's Lou Squillance. He and Rothermel also advanced to the quarterfinals in district doubles.

The team's No. 1 doubles pair of Jack Bonge and Brendan Reichenbach will enter their second season together on the doubles front. The two also won a doubles match at district's last season, and defeated Southern Lehigh's Matt Myslinlki and Neil Amin (6-3, 0-6, 6-3) to begin the 2014 season.

"I think the biggest improvement is both of my doubles teams," said Benson. "They were sophomores last year, both of them. They're coming back."

Senior Zachary Young, the team's No. 3 singles player a year ago, is back for the Falcons. Juniors Eric Young and Aaron King, the team's No. 2 doubles team last year, will pair up again as the season gets underway.

Freshan AJ Oliver is a newcomer to the team as well.

The Falcons will travel to Saucon Valley on Wednesday to continue play in the Colonial League. Match time is set for 4 p.m. Results from Monday's match against Allen were not available at time of press.