Texas Tech University Athletics
Red Raiders Open Season In Tucson
January 15, 2015 | Men's Tennis
January 15, 2015
TUCSON, Ariz. - No. 41 Texas Tech will serve up the 2015 spring season with a set of six dual matches over four days, as the Red Raiders begin play in the Arizona Kick-Off Weekend at the La Nelle Robson Tennis Center.
"There is no doubt that we have more talent than we have had recently," said Texas Tech men's head tennis coach Tim Siegel. "This is an opportunity to get our new players into our rotation and give them a feel for what college tennis is like."
The Red Raiders open the spring with two new faces in junior transfer Victor Cornea, who is the former No. 1 junior in Romania, and midseason enrollee Alex Sendegeya, who was the No.1 junior in Great Britain.
"One thing that should be improved is our doubles. Victor is a very accomplished doubles player. He could easily find himself at the top of the lineup in doubles and somewhere near the top in singles," said Siegel. "Alex could find himself somewhere in the middle of the lineup."
The two newcomers join a rotation that includes nationally-ranked No. 35 Felipe Soares, as well as Hugo Dojas, Jolan Cailleau and Francisco Zambon. Also figuring into the mix is freshman Connor Curry of Wichita Falls.
"There is no question that we have more talent," added Siegel. "Our top two players (Soares and Dojas) are simply better because it is one year later, but they have become better players. Felipe and Hugo should not only be two of the top two players in the Big 12, but in the country.
"I think top to bottom we are going to be stringer in every position, because the players returning are better than they were one year ago. Then you add in the new players and we have the opportunity to be successful."
Texas Tech will open the season against No. 61 New Mexico on Friday at 11 a.m. The Red Raiders will then turn around and play UC-Irvine at 3 p.m. on Friday as well.
"I think the point of playing six matches in four days is to get match play," said Siegel. "You want to get as many matches in as possible to make sure you are above .500 and get into the NCAA Tournament. You want to get strong matches to prepare you for the rest of the season."
On Saturday, the Red Raiders will face host Arizona at 11 a.m. CT, followed by a second match with No. 61 New Mexico at 3 p.m. CT.
The two teams will take Sunday off, before returning to action on Monday, when Texas Tech will face UC-Irvine at 11 a.m. and Arizona at 3 p.m.
"Our first three trips are very difficult, from playing at Arizona to playing in the ITAs in California and then off to Mississippi State," said Siegel. "We are going to know a lot about our team by the beginning of February."
The Red Raiders will play 10 matches on the road before opening the season at home on Feb. 13 against East Tennessee State at 1 p.m. at the McLeod Tennis Center. In all, the Red Raiders play 26 regular-season matches, with only nine taking place in Lubbock.
"We have a challenging schedule, which will test us heading into Big 12 play," added Siegel. "Top to bottom this may be the best year ever in terms of quality teams in the Big 12. The league could realistically get all six men's teams into the NCAAs."
But before selections are announced in May, it starts on Friday in Tucson, with a grueling six matches over four days.
Players Mentioned
