Jan. 28, 2009
Santa Clara, Calif. - The Santa Clara men's tennis team will open the 2009 dual season this Saturday, January 31 against the UC Santa Cruz Banana Slugs. The match, which was originally scheduled for Jan. 24, is set to begin at 12 noon at the Degheri Tennis Center.
The veteran Broncos will take on a highly ranked Division III Santa Cruz team, which is returning five seniors and four juniors. "This Santa Cruz team is senior laden and has a lot of experience. They are going to want to take it to us; we are going to have to come out and match their energy," said Head Coach Derek Mills.
Last season, the Broncos defeated UCSC 4-2 in a hard fought match. Jay Wong, Senthil Chidambaram, Kenzo Hirakawa-Wong provided strong wins on the doubles and singles side of play in last year's match. Strong returning talent plus the additions of sophomore transfer Hugo Taricido Loureiro, a 2008 All-Southland Conference selection from the University of Texas at Arlington, and freshman Kyle Dandan will be a tough match-up for the Banana Slugs.
Santa Cruz is ranked 2nd nationally in DIII men's tennis and boasts the top ranked singles player in Max Liberty-Point. This experienced team will be looking to make up for last season's loss to the Broncos.
First serve is set for 12:00 p.m., Saturday, January 31 at the Degheri Tennis Center.