Men's 3.0 - This is a totally new division this year so every team comes in with a clean slate. Several teams including Princeton and NYUhave players with 3.5 playing experience. Look also for inexperienced but athletic Uptown to factor.
Men's 3.5 - The 3.5 division has long been the most competitive and even, but it is a changed landscape this year. The starters from last year's dominant West Side Y have either moved up to 4.0 or moved out of town, same for Princeton Black and HRC. With three of four starters returning, look for Eastern Athletic to improve on last year's first-round playoff loss.
Men's 4.0 - The Harmonie and Union League Clubs have long ruled the 4.0 division, but both have risen to 4.5 for the coming season. This year, West Side Y and the Princeton Club top the pre-season rankings. West Side Y players White and Peppiatt went a combined 25-3 in the 3.5's last year, while Princeton's Kim and Battles were 22-2.
Men's 4.5 - The combination of top players moving up from the 4.0 combined with a few surprises moving down from 5.0 should make 4.5 the division to watch this year. Lincoln had two top 4.5 teams last year but several key players have moved to 5.0. Likewise, Uptown BarVespamay find it next to impossible to repeat given the departure of three top players. Look for the Union League and Eastern Athletic to lead the way this year. The darkhorse of this division could be SCLA, a tight-knit team that gains some reinforcement with the arrival of top recruit Harry Gordon.
Men's 5.0 - The Lincoln team may only have itself as an opponent this year. If this team can get past managerial woes and keep its players properly registered, they are likely to have little competition on court. Top players like Wu and Zia will be reinforced with the best of last year's 4.5 teams. Uptown 1 could be a contender, but that will hinge on Callender's 5.0 eligibility. Yale always fields a competitive 5.0 team, but key departures will limit this team to top 4 finish, at best.
Men's 5.5 - Unlike past years, which had just a few teams contending, the 5.5 this year presents four teams with legitimate claims to the top spot. Printing House has the most experience and should be able to make up for the loss of top player Chen with Erasmus coming off the bench. The SCLA Demons are also stacked this year, bringing back Gens who spent last year on loan to a team in India. CityView has two game changers in Matthias and Wilkens, but is it too late to get these two in match shape for the season?
Women's 4.0 - With former Printing House player Dieltiens departing to India, Harvard Club losing Lusardi to college, and Green moving toUptown 5.0, the Women's 4.0 may be up for grabs this year. Best able to weather those changes may be Harvard, whose captains Pell and Salas have proven to be exceptional recruiters. Lincoln also has a good lineup, retaining Emily Stieff, but the loss of her Baltimore partner in crime Cory Warfield will hurt.
Women's 5.0 - New women's 5.0 entrant University Club has already raised some eyebrows with a lineup that ranges from recent college grads to NYC legend Belknap. The Harvard Club may be able to challenge if they can hold on to top player Balsekar, reportedly mulling a mid-season trade offer to go to San Francisco's Bay Club.
