During his freshman year, the Flyers were in the midst of a 31-match losing streak that dated back to 2007 and ended with a 7-2 non-conference win over Dubuque on March 22, 2009.

Since then, Lewis has won 31 of its last 51 matches and Lapimaa has keyed the charge with a combined 172 singles and doubles victories since 2008. Lapimaa has racked up award after award during his career, including two Great Lakes Valley Conference Player of the Year titles, as well as GLVC Freshman of the Year honors in 2008.

This past fall, Lapimaa placed fifth in the singles bracket of the USTA/ITA National Small College Championships. He was the first Flyer player in school history to qualify for that event after winning the ITA Midwest Regional singles title.

Entering the spring, Lapimaa is ranked No. 1 overall in the ITA Midwest Regional rankings and 20th in the nation. He and fellow senior Michael Wojnarowski (Oak Lawn, Ill./Richards) (Oak Lawn, Ill./Richards/Moraine Valley C.C.) are ranked sixth in the region for doubles play.

“Uno does so much more than what he shows on the court,” Lewis head men's tennis coach Brett Bridel said. “He's an amazing person and a leader.

“He really wants what's best for Lewis University.”

Lapimaa is now the elder statesman of a Flyer squad that features four freshmen. Bridel feels that the Estonia native has played an active role in helping the Flyer rookies acclimate themselves to collegiate tennis.

“Uno has done a great job with our freshmen and trying to get them to do the right things, make the right choices, and trying to push them to work hard at practice,” Bridel said. “You have to be prepared mentally and physically.

“I think when the (new) guys get out there and start getting their feet wet, they'll get a feel for collegiate tennis.”

Wojnarowski should play a key role for the Flyers this season, aside from teaming up with Lapimaa in doubles action. In two-plus seasons with Lewis, Wojnarowski has 26 singles wins as well as 37 doubles victories.

“Mike has made a total commitment and is in the best shape that he's ever been in,” Bridel said. “He's playing the best tennis I have ever seen him play and he feels the same way.”

Bridel's other returning student-athlete is junior Jesse Hardacre (Racine, Wis./St. Catherine's) (Racine, Wis./St. Catherine's). After recording 20 singles wins as a freshman, Hardacre slipped to 15 victories during his sophomore campaign.

Bridel feels that Hardacre has regained his freshman form.

“Jesse was outstanding for us as a freshman,” Bridel said. “He was a little off a bit on his game his sophomore year, but he is really looking good at practice right now.

“He looks like the guy I saw as a freshman,” Bridel continued. “We are excited about what Jesse can do, but he just needs to keep the confidence and keep working hard."

Bridel's 2012 squad features four freshmen and he has gone back to the Estonian well, and welcomed Erik Aunapuu (Tallinn, Estonia/Audentese Spordigumnaasiumi) (Tallinn, Estonia/Audentese Sprdigumnaasiumi) and Armand Levandi (Tallinn, Estonia/Audentese Spordigumnaasiumi) (Tallinn, Estonia/Audentese Sprdigumnaasiumi) to the team.

Bridel sees a few similarities between Lapimaa and the Estonian freshmen, but hesitates to place high expectations upon the rookies.

“Skill-wise, they're right there with Uno, but still have yet to see what they're able to handle mentally in the collegiate game,” Bridel said. “They're working hard, they're serious about their tennis and it should be exciting.”

John Richert (Indianapolis, Ind./Pike) (Indianapolis, Ind./Pike) and Isriz Balase (Schaumburg, Ill./Schaumburg) (Schaumburg, Ill./Schaumburg/Harper C.C.) round out the freshman class for the 2012 Flyers. Richert competed in the fall for the Flyers and posted a record of 3-10 in singles action and 7-6 in doubles play.

“John is a great doubles player and he's an imposing figure at 6-foot-7,” Bridel said. “He came a long way in the fall and he continues to improve.”

Balase transferred to Lewis after spending the fall semester at Harper College.

“Isriz is a really pleasant surprise,” Bridel said. “He just needs to get more match experience but he strikes the ball really well and he moves well.

“He's aggressive, and he's a very good volleyer,” Bridel continued. “He has even exceeded our expectations in the doubles, so we are looking for great things from Isriz.“

Bridel is very confident about his squad heading into the spring.

“Our line-up is probably the most solid that it's been since I've been here,” Bridel said. “If we keep working hard, prepare for our matches and do all the things right that we should be doing, we will be disappointed if we don't make a run at the GLVC Tournament.

“It may be a pretty lofty goal for us, but I feel good about it,” Bridel continued. “I feel like it's something we can achieve and the guys are trying to do that too.”