Belton, Texas – The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor men's tennis team will open the spring 2017 dual match schedule this Saturday in Sherman. The Cru will take on Austin College in a 9:00 AM non-conference match to open the season.
The UMHB men welcome back five lettermen from last year's ASC Tournament qualifier this spring, including the players who filled the 1-4 spots in the singles line-up. Scott Wilding (Sr., College Station) was an ASC All-West Division selection in both singles and doubles last season and he won the Flight One singles title at the ASC Individual Tournament in the fall. Wilding posted a 9-4 singles record and went 9-5 in doubles. Brendan Thompson (Jr., Abilene) went 8-1 in singles and was 5-5 in doubles play and was an All-West Division pick two years ago as a freshman. Alex Mackellar (So., Belton) teamed with Wilding to take All-West Division honors in doubles and he played #4 and #5 singles last spring. Julian Dunmore (So., College Station) split last year between #3 and #4 singles and Jake Boles (So., Taylor) was a mainstay at #6 singles. Jace Mahan (Fr., Lufkin), Brian Martin (Fr., League City), Chase Van Cleave (Fr., Midland) and Cole Weiss (Fr., Frisco) all picked up valuable experience in the fall and will have a chance to contribute this spring. Daniel Riner (Fr., Houston) and John Swords (Fr., Temple) both joined the team at semester and will have a chance to play their way into the line-up, as well. The UMHB men were picked to finish third in the West Division in the ASC Preseason Coaches' Poll.
The Cru finished 4-10 overall and went 2-3 in ASC West Division play last season. Following Saturday's season opener, the UMHB men will return to action with a non-conference match at Southwestern University on March 4th. The home opener is set for March 11th and the Cru opens ASC West Division play with a home match against Sul Ross State on April 1st.
