EDINBURG – The University of Texas-Pan American Broncs men's tennis team (1-5) returns home for three matches in two days, starting Friday at 10 a.m. against the University of the Southwest Mustangs and then at 4 p.m. against the No. 48 St. Mary's Rattlers at the Orville Cox Tennis Center.
 
The Broncs women's tennis team will be in action simultaneously, also facing USW at 10 a.m., while hosting No. 48 St. Mary's at 2 p.m.
 
Fans will be able to spend the entire day enjoying Broncs tennis in the sun. There will be concessions, including $1 hot dogs, chilidogs, hot Cheetos with cheese, Frito pies and drinks.
 
There will be contests and giveaways throughout the day, including a free t-shirt for the fan(s) with the most Bronc spirit and/or best poster.
 
Admission is free.
 
The Broncs
The Broncs have had their greatest singles success at the No. 1, No. 5 and No. 6 positions by going 2-4 at each. Thomas-Orestis Panoulas has played all four matches at No. 1. Adding in his 4-4 Tournament record, he is a team best 6-8 this season. Victor Alves has played at No. 5 twice (1-1) and No. 6 three times (1-3). Alejandro Sanoja has played at No. 5 three times (1-2) and Joseph Bishop has played at No. 6 three times (1-2).
 
In doubles, the duo of Sebastien Job and Sanoja is 3-3, including 3-2 at the No. 1 spot. Alves and Panoulas are 2-2, including 2-1 at No. 3.
 
Scouting the Mustangs
Marek Ondruj, who is the No. 11 ranked singles player in the NAIA and part of the No. 21 ranked doubles duo, along with Felix Singer, leads the Mustangs.
 
Broncs vs. Mustangs
The Broncs beat the Mustangs in their only meeting, 7-0 at home on January 19, 2008. The two teams were scheduled to meet at the start of the 2009 season, but the Broncs won that match by default.
 
Scouting the Rattlers
After getting off to a 3-1 start, the Rattlers have lost their last two matches to No. 7 Laredo Community College and No. 18 Incarnate Word. The Rattlers' other loss came to one of the Broncs' future WAC opponents, New Mexico State, 1-6. The Rattlers have 9-0 wins over Temple College and Our Lady of the Lake as well as 6-3 over Schreiner, who the Broncs host Saturday at 2 p.m.
 
The Rattlers are 10-8 (.556) in doubles and 20-16 (.556) in singles. Brien Galon has the best singles record a 4-1, with all of his action coming at No. 6.
 
Broncs vs. Rattlers
The Broncs are 14-1 all-time against the Rattlers in a series dating back to 1955. Last season, the Broncs won at St. Mary's 6-1, including wins at No. 2 by Ricardo Hopker, No. 3 by Chetan Panditi and No. 4 by Victor Alves.
 
Last Time Out
The Broncs are coming off of an 0-7 loss at No. 18 Baylor. The Bears got off to a quick start, winning at No. 3 and No. 1 doubles to clinch the point. The Broncs had a chance to win one of the matches, as Chetan Panditi and Ricardo Hopker had a 6-5 lead over Mate Zsiga and Robbie Korth at No. 2 when the doubles point was decided. The Bears won all six singles matches in straight sets.
 
Awesome Alves
Junior Victor Alves got off to a hot start in dual play, going 2-1 in singles and 2-1 doubles over the Broncs' first four matches. Alves had a 4-0 weekend during the Broncs' first two home matches on Feb. 1 and 3, teaming with Panoulas to win twice at No. 3 doubles, and then picking up a win at No. 5 singles against Laredo Community College and at No. 6 against UTSA. Alves was the first to finish in singles both times. For his efforts, Alves earned Southland Conference Player of the Week honors.
 
Home Sweet Home
The Broncs picked up their first home win under second year head coach Paul Goode 4-3 over No. 7 Laredo Community College on Feb. 1. The Broncs are in a stretch of six out of seven matches at home, including two stretches of three in a row.
 
The Broncs played five home matches last year, all at the end of the season. This year the Broncs play 10 home matches, including three three-match home stands.
 
This is the most home matches the Broncs have had in a single season since the turn of the century.
 
Tough Schedule
The Broncs are challenging themselves this season and currently boast a schedule that includes eight matches against ranked opponents:
 
Division I ranked opponents (0-3):
1/16 @ No. 29 Texas Tech, L 1-6
1/27 @ No. 54 Rice, L 0-7
2/16 @ No. 18 Baylor, L 0-7
3/19 @ No. 47 Arkansas
3/30 @ No. 51 TCU
 
Division II ranked opponents (0-0):
3/1 vs. No. 48 St. Mary's
3/23 vs. No. 19 Incarnate Word
 
Junior College ranked opponents (1-0):
2/1 vs. No. 7 Laredo Community College, W 4-3
 
Globetrotters
The Broncs have eight student-athletes on the roster representing seven different countries, including the United States of America, Brazil, Belgium, Greece, India, Indonesia and Sweden. The lone American Bronc is Sanoja, who calls Mission home.
 
Next Up
The Broncs host Schreiner University on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. at the Orville Cox Tennis Center.