NIU men’s tennis is getting into the swing of things for its 2011-2012 season.

“Right now we are doing preseason chains by just getting up at six in the morning for conditioning workouts,” said Patrick Fisher, Huskies men’s tennis coach.

This fall, the Huskies will compete in five tournaments, which is more than last season, Fisher said.

“As far as conference games, Western Michigan and Ball State are definitely the teams to beat,” Fisher said. “I do think that we will be pretty good this year too.”

NIU’s clear-cut goal is to win a MAC Championship.

Fisher said they will return this fall with nine players, one of them being a senior.

“Roman Turtygin is our only senior and everyone else is a junior or younger,” Fisher said. “Axel Lagerlof played at a really high level last season.”

Mikhail Titov will return after shoulder surgery, and Fisher said that will be a boost.

“This season Huskie fans can expect to watch us compete hard, but as a team,” Fisher said.