MONTGOMERY, Ala. ------ The Auburn Montgomery men's tennis team will open its 2017 campaign and the program's NCAA Division Ii era Saturday afternoon, when it hosts Young Harris College at 1 p.m. at Lagoon Park.
NOTES
• The Warhawks finished last season with a 19-5 record.
• Head coach
Rolando Vargas will begin his seventh season at the helm of the program. Vargas has led AUM to a 127-31 (.804) record in his previous six seasons.
THE PERSONNEL
• Senior
Birkir Gunnarsson led the returning players with an 18-2 singles record last season, playing primarily at the No. 5 position. Gunnarsson won his final 17 matches last year and added a 15-7 doubles record.
• Senior
Vincent Dubosclard also won 18 singles matches, including his final 13. He finished 17-7 in doubles play, teaming primarily with Gunnarsson.
• Sophomore
Matias Destefanis concluded his first season with the Warhawks with a 13-6 singles mark, playing at least one match at the top four positions. Destefanis tallied a 15-7 doubles record.
• Playing at the top of the lineup last season, senior
Francisco Mendieta recorded an 11-9 singles record, while matching a team-best with 21 doubles victories last season.
• Sophomore
Santiago Veglia finished 11-5 in singles matches last season, while adding 15 doubles wins.
• Freshman
Alvaro Terron will make his AUM debut this season. Terron joins the Warhawks from Leon, Spain and was ranked as high as 83rd in the nation as a junior.
THE SCHEDULE
• The Warhawks will play a total of 22 matches, six at home, 13 on the road and three at a neutral site.
• The schedule features 16 matches against NCAA Division II competition, two against Division I foes and four against NAIA opponents.
• Ten of AUM's opponents were ranked in the Oracle/ITA Division II top-50 national rankings, including No. 3 Armstrong State, No. 4 Lander, No. 7 Barry, No. 8 Lynn and No. 9 West Florida. The Warhawks play nine teams ranked in the top 18 of the preseason poll.
QUOTING THE COACH
"We are certainly excited to open Division II play and look forward to the challenge it will bring," Vargas said. "Our team has a great opportunity to play relaxed and without the pressure we are used to. This year we are playing a little under the radar, but still understand the expectations of AUM tennis. We have an experienced team returning, but they are all still hungry to prove they belong at the DII level. This year, we are looking to build the foundation for the years to come in Division II. I am really looking forward to getting the season started."
UP NEXT
• Following the contest against the Mountain Lions, the Warhawks will host No. 9 West Florida on Tuesday, Feb. 7. The match is set to start at 1 p.m. and will be played at Lagoon Park.
