The Michigan men’s tennis team’s 2010 recruiting class is one of its best in program history. Collectively, the group ranked third in the country. And having already recorded eight wins together at the Cliffs’ NCAA Tennis Classic in late September, the group is looking forward to making an even bigger impact when the spring season kicks off in January.

Because of the team’s small size, the four freshmen have had to step in and contribute early. Three of the four could easily see plenty of time come January, and for this team to excel, the recruits need to assert their presence.

“I’m pretty confident and pretty hopeful,” Michigan coach Bruce Berque said. We have nine players and four of them are freshmen, so we’re going to need them to have a pretty big impact. Most of them are going to have to be contributing in the line-up in every match we play.”

“This is the most mature and hardest-working class we’ve ever had,” Berque added.

For Shaun Bernstein and Justin Rossi, both considered blue-chip recruits, as well as Alex Buzzi and Barrett Franks, the superlatives are unimportant.

“No. 3 in the country doesn’t have too much of an impact on how we think we’re going to do,” Bernstein said. "For now it’s just focusing on improving and hopefully gearing up and getting ready for the season.”

Coming off a season in which Michigan fell short in the Big Ten Tournament and in the NCAA Regionals, this class hopes to push Michigan over the hump. Although it is unknown whether any of these freshmen will push veterans Evan King and Jason Jung, these freshmen know they will have to work hard to make a lasting impact on this team.

At the Cliffs’ NCAA Tennis Classic, Bernstein recorded three wins in singles, while going 1-1 in doubles with sophomore Chris Cha. Rossi also notched two singles victories as well as one victory in doubles with fellow freshman Barrett Franks.

“I think we can make big things happen this year,” Rossi said.