Texas Tech University Athletics
No. 22 Texas Tech Hosts Tulane To Open Spring Season
January 20, 2012 | Men's Tennis
Raony Carvalho and the Red Raiders open the season Friday at 4 p.m. at The Falls Athletic Club.
Jan. 19, 2012
LUBBOCK, Texas - No. 22 Texas Tech kicks off the spring season on Friday at 4 p.m. at the Falls Athletic Club, when the Red Raiders host Tulane University.
"We are really excited to get the season started," said Red Raider head coach Tim Siegel. "We have the opportunity to do something special this season. It is up to the players to make that happen."
The Red Raiders have one of the deepest lineups in school history, as Texas Tech returns seven of eight letterwinners, including All-American senior Raony Carvalho and nationally-ranked senior Gonzalo Escobar.
"When our top three players are playing well, we will be tough to beat," said Siegel of Carvalho, Escobar and senior Rafael Garcia. "One through eight - we are very excited about the types of players that we have got on our roster. The chemistry on this team is as good as I have ever seen."
Those are strong words from a coach who will be walking the hard courts on the High Plains for his 20th season.
The Red Raiders enter Friday's match coming off of a 17-10 record and a No. 21 national ranking. Texas Tech has made five straight trips to the NCAA Championships and been ranked in the Top 25 in each of the past four seasons.
Carvalho, who spent the fall playing as an amateur on the ITF Futures Tour in South America, returns to the lineup where he has been the stalwart at No. 1 singles.
"Raony's travels really strengthened his game over the fall, not only in singles, but in doubles as well," said Siegel. "He and Rafa (Rafael Garcia) should really solidify our No.1 doubles.
"Realistically, Raony or Gonzalo can play No. 1 for us. I think they are interchangeable depending on who we are playing and what their lineup is."
Besides Carvalho, Escobar and Garcia, the Red Raiders also return juniors Vitor Manzini, Raphael Pfister, Gabriel Wanderley and Jeff Bryan.
"Our success this season will be determined by how well we play at No. 5 and No. 6 singles," said Siegel. "We should be strong at the top three positions, but where we win matches will be how we perform at four, five and six."
The Red Raiders have also added freshman Francisco Zambon into the mix. The freshman joined the squad at semester from Brazil.
"Francisco (Zambon) is a hard worker and a great competitor and is another piece that will contribute to our success this season," said Siegel.
Siegel sees this season as one with high expectations, but nothing that is not attainable.
"We have had some great teams in the past," said Siegel. "This team can be as good as it wants to be."
And that journey begins Friday against Tulane.
Players Mentioned
