LAFAYETTE, Louisiana – The University of Texas-Pan American Broncs men's tennis team (7-15) faces the Alcorn State University Braves (5-11) on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Cajun Courts on the campus of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
 
The Broncs
The Broncs have performed well in doubles this season, going 30-25 (.545) in dual play. The Broncs hold winning records at No. 2 (12-8) and No. 3 (11-5).
 
Ricardo Hopker and Chetan Panditi have a 10-6 record, including 9-5 at No. 2 and 1-1 at No. 1.
 
Victor Alves and Thomas-Orestis Panoulas are 10-5, including a 10-4 record at No. 3.
 
Scouting the Braves
Although the Braves have struggled in non-conference play (1-10), they have the second best record in SWAC play (4-1) this season. Ernesto Santillan is 4-1 at No. 1 singles in SWAC play.
 
Series History
The Broncs are 4-0 all-time against the Braves in a series dating back to 2000. Last season, the Broncs beat the Braves 4-0 on the road.
 
Last Time Out
The Broncs were eliminated from contention for a spot in the Southland Conference Tournament with a 3-4 loss at Lamar.
 
The Broncs (swept through doubles, as Felix Hasselberg and Sebastien Job beat Rob Lee and Steven McMullan 8-4 at No. 1, Chetan Panditi and Ricardo Hopker defeated Mikko Rajamaki and Bruno Snyder 8-4 at No. 2, and Victor Alves and Thomas-Orestis Panoulas downed Trey Crysel and Carl-Phillip Linqvist 8-5 at No. 3.
 
The Broncs won two singles matches, as Hasselberg beat Rajamaki 6-4, 6-1 at No. 5 and Joseph Bishop defeated Crysel 6-3, 6-3 at No. 6, but the Cardinals (4-14, 2-1 Southland) took the remaining four matches to get the win.
 
Panoulas Honored
After leading the Broncs to a 2-1 record and going 5-1, freshman Thomas-Orestis Panoulas became the second Bronc to earn Southland Conference Player of the Week honors on March 26. Panoulas started the week by earning the Broncs' lone point against No. 54 Arkansas, 3-6, 6-4 (10-5) over Manfred Jeske at No. 1 singles. He also swept through singles and doubles (with Victor Alves) in a doubleheader sweep of Incarnate Word and Prairie View A&M.
 
Freshmen Flare
Felix Hasselberg made his dual singles debut against Schreiner on March 2, winning 6-1, 6-0 at No. 6. Joseph Bishop played at No. 5 for the first time, winning 6-0, 6-1. The two teamed up in doubles, winning 8-1 at No. 3 in what was Bishop's dual doubles debut.
 
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 went 6-4 at home this season.
 
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 nine matches against ranked opponents:
 
Division I ranked opponents (0-5):
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. 54 Arkansas, L 1-6
3/30 @ No. 36 TCU, L 1-6
4/20 @ No. 58 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
 
Division II ranked opponents (2-0):
3/1 vs. No. 48 St. Mary's, W 5-2
3/23 vs. No. 19 Incarnate Word, W 7-0
 
Junior College ranked opponents (1-0):
2/1 vs. No. 7 Laredo Community College, W 4-3
 
Globetrotters
The Broncs have seven student-athletes on the roster representing six different countries, including Brazil, Belgium, Greece, India, Indonesia and Sweden.
 
Next Up
The Broncs visit the University of Louisiana at Lafayette on Sunday at 9:00 a.m.