TIFTON — Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College tennis returns Monday and head coach Dale White’s goals are nothing short of the best for the program.

“Our goal with the guys,” he said, “is to try to win the national title.”

His expectations are similar for the Fillies. White would like the squad to place in the top eight nationally and a player to win All-American. Monika Lalewicz was the last ABAC women’s player to earn the honor, back in 2008.

ABAC scrimmages Valdosta State Monday in Valdosta at 3:30 p.m. The regular season starts Friday at Middle Georgia State in Macon, which has a 2:30 p.m. start time.

At first glance, the task of competing in the top eight may seem difficult for the Fillies. White has only six players on the roster.

With four singles and two doubles matches being standard, the Fillies can ill afford to have anyone injured.

“Knock on wood,” White said.

Augustina Acuna and Oriane Yehouenou bring nationals experience to the women’s team. Yehouenou was eliminated in the quarterfinals and Acuna and her doubles partner, Catina Gamo, also lost in the quarterfinals.

White said the Fillies would be “stronger” this year.

If ABAC’s men can reach his goal, a national title would be their first since 1999. The team also won a title in 1984.

The Stallions currently are facing one of the best problems a coach can have: “Eight guys that could play in the top six,” said White.

Colton Phillips, Eymeric Chevalier and Elvyn Nguyen saw plenty of playing time last year. Chevalier was a semifinalist in his flight at nationals in 2016.

Nguyen will have fans seeing double; his twin brother, Yohan, has joined the team. Yohan Nguyen, said White, was at another school last year, but decided to join his brother.

Phillips is expected to battle for a spot in the Stallions’ top six.

Depth, naturally, will be a strength for the team.

Elvyn Nguyen and Chevalier, he said, have the experience to lead the team. White also has a team captain of sorts, Nick Rosatti of Cook, one of very few area players on the roster. Phillips could almost be considered local; his ABAC bio has him listed from Georgia’s Johns Creek High School.

White’s women’s roster is exclusively international. Nearly all of the men’s squad is.

France is the most popular country of origin. Five men’s players hail from there and four women’s players do as well.

ABAC’s schedule is area-based, but not area-hosted.

“We’re staying close to home,” said White, “but not many home matches.”

The Stallions and Fillies have only two home matches, the first of which is this week. ABAC hosts Lander College from South Carolina Saturday at 10 a.m. Not until their final regular season match, April 14, do they play at home again, against Coastal Georgia.

ABAC plays Coastal Georgia and Armstrong Atlantic in Brunswick Feb. 10. Other matches include Gardner Webb in Statesboro Feb. 16, at Georgia Southern Feb. 17, and at Troy March 25.

NJCAA Nationals take place in May. As the only team in its district, the Stallions and Fillies automatically qualify for the tournament.