Texas Tech University Athletics
No. 21 Texas Tech Battles No. 31 Michigan in Austin
January 27, 2012 | Men's Tennis
Raony Carvalho and the Red Raiders begin play at the ITA Kickoff Weekend in Austin.
Jan. 27, 2012
AUSTIN, Texas - Texas Tech could prove a lot this weekend at the ITA Kickoff Weekend.
Sixty schools will be competing across the country for the 15 vacant spots at the ITA National Men's Team Indoor Championship, to be hosted next month by the University of Virginia.
The No. 21 Red Raiders (2-0) face No. 31 Michigan in the opening round, while No. 17 Texas will take on No. 38 Maryland. The winners will faceoff on Sunday, while the losers will meet in a consolation match on Sunday.
"Michigan is very well coached. It is a program that we know well," said Texas Tech head coach Tim Siegel. "We lost to them in the NCAA Tournament in 2008 in the second round. They are a very good team with a very good No. 1 player in Evan King."
King enters the weekend ranked No. 6 in the country. He most likely will face either Texas Tech All-American Raony Carvalho or No. 23 Gonzalo Carvalho.
If the Red Raiders are able to get past Michigan, they will face either Texas or Maryland for a chance to advance to Virginia.
"Texas is a solid program," added Siegel. "They are ranked in the top 20 every year. They are a b it young this year with some new players, but they are a very tough opponent.
"Maryland made the NCAA Tournament last year and won their first round match. They have a very good coach in Kyle Spencer. They are a very solid and experienced team."
If Texas Tech defeats Michigan and sets up a matchup with Texas, the match will be televised on the Longhorn Network. It would mark the first televised dual match in Texas Tech history.
Players Mentioned
