WEST HARTFORD, Conn. - Head Coach Michael Raymond has named the captains for the 2010-11 Hartford tennis teams, he announced on Friday. Rising senior Nicole Haynal will be joined by rising junior Margaret Sabatino as the women's team captains, while rising junior Aneil Bhalla and rising sophomore Josh Isaacson will take the lead for the men. Haynal also served as the women's co-captain this season, alongside senior Margaret Potkay.

"We have several players returning from both teams, but next year is somewhat of a new beginning for us," Raymond said when making the announcement. "Three of our four captains have been selected for the first time. I expect big things from all four of them, and look forward to great student leadership as Hartford Tennis continues to develop."

Both Haynal and Sabatino have proven their leadership abilities both on the court and off, as they were named Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Scholar Athletes last season. They contributed to a women's team which was one of five America East programs to receive team recognition for overall academic achievement.

On the court, Nicole Haynal won four singles matches for the Hawks this season playing primarily at Number Three on the singles ladder. Haynal put together a three-match winning streak against Siena, Holy Cross and St. Francis (NY) during the fall. She also earned a 6-4, 6-2 triumph against Wagner, helping the Hawks to a 7-0 defeat of the Seahawks.

Margaret Sabatino, the vice-chair of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee at the University, missed the fall season while studying abroad in Italy before returning for the spring, where she played largely in the second position in the Hawks' singles ladder. She also spent two matches as the Hawks' Number One singles player. Sabatino scored a perfect 6-0, 6-0 victory at Number Two against Wagner. Additionally, she paired with Livia Blasque for an 8-6 doubles triumph against Albany, the first America East doubles match won by the Hawks during Raymond's tenure.

The top player in the Hartford men's singles ladder for much of the season, Aneil Bhalla was also an ITA Scholar Athlete in 2008-09. After two singles victories in the fall, Bhalla scored triumphs over Wagner and Hofstra in the spring season, helping the men take down Wagner, 7-0, in the process. Bhalla and doubles partner Marco Neves won back-to-back matches against Wagner and Holy Cross in April.

In his freshman campaign, Josh Isaacson quickly became one of the most reliable options for the Hawks, assuming a leadership role in the process. In early April, Isaacson won three straight singles matches at Number Two, knocking off Wagner, Holy Cross and Hofstra. It was the longest singles winning streak for a men's player under Raymond. Isaacson also contributed to the team's wins over Wagner and St. Francis (NY) with doubles victories. He partnered with Eric Floum for much of the season, including the Wagner match, while teaming up with Bhalla against St. Francis (NY).