Texas’ men’s tennis team will kick off the season in two early tournaments Friday featuring various teams from around the nation. The Longhorns will be sending two separate squads to compete in the Racquet Club Collegiate Invitational in Midland and the 57th annual Rice Invitational in Houston. 

“These two tournaments will be a good chance to evaluate our guys early on and to see what we need going forward,” Texas head coach Michael Center said. 

Seniors Michael Riechmann and Nick Naumann lead the group heading to the Rice Invitational, with redshirt freshman, Julian Zlobinsky and sophomore redshirt William Jou rounding out the group. 

A younger squad will head to the Racquet Club Collegiate Invitational, including sophomores John Mee and Adrian Ortiz.  Freshmen Harrison Scott and Johnny Goodwin will make their debut as Longhorns.

Mee made his debut in this tournament last year, winning his first collegiate match. However, due to rain, he did not get to finish the tournament.  

Last year, Riechmann, Naumann and Ortiz all made the Academic All-Big 12 Team. Riechmann was also honored as the Big 12 regular season champion in the No. 5 singles spot in 2014. 

With the new season, the men’s tennis team hired a new assistant coach, Bruce Berque.

“I’m excited to have Bruce Berque aboard as a part of the program, and I know he’s excited about watching the guys play,” Center said.