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LAFAYETTE, Louisiana – The University of Texas-Pan American Broncs men's tennis team (8-15) visits the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Ragin Cajuns (13-11) on Sunday at Cajun Courts on the campus of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. The match was originally scheduled to start at 9 a.m., but has been pushed back to 1:00 p.m. due to rain.
 
The Broncs
The Broncs have performed well in doubles this season, going 31-27 (.534) in dual play. The Broncs hold winning records at No. 2 (13-8) and No. 3 (11-6).
 
Ricardo Hopker and Chetan Panditi have an 11-6 record, including 10-5 at No. 2 and 1-1 at No. 1.
 
Victor Alves and Thomas-Orestis Panoulas are 10-6, including a 10-5 record at No. 3.
 
Scouting the Ragin Cajuns
The Ragin Cajuns are 40-18 (.690) in dual doubles play and are led by the duo of Rick de Groot and Jake Wynan, who are 13-7 overall, including 11-7 at No. 1.
 
The Ragin Cajuns are 87-52 (.626) in dual singles play, with winning records at five positions. Hunter Johnson leads the way with a 16-8 record, including 12-6 in dual play. De Groot has the most dual wins with 13, including 12 at No. 1.
 
Series History
This is the sixth meeting all-time between the Broncs and the Ragin Cajuns in a series dating back to 2001. The Broncs are looking for their first win in the series.
 
Last season, the Broncs and Ragin Cajuns met in Edinburg on April 3, a 0-7 loss for the Broncs. The Broncs' lone win came at No. 1 doubles, where Felix Hasselberg and Sebastien Job defeated Rick de Grott and Jake Wynan 7-6 by default.
 
Last Time Out
The Broncs beat Alcorn State 5-2 at the Cajun Courts on Saturday. Thomas-Orestis Panoulas defeated Ernesto Santillan 6-4 in the first set at No. 1 and led 3-0 in the second set when Santillan retired. The Broncs got their other points on the final four courts, as Chetan Panditi beat Vitali Vasileuski 6-1, 7-5 at No. 3, Sebastien Job defeated Garry Amor 6-3, 6-2 at No. 4, Felix Hasselberg bested Max Tkachenko 6-4, 6-3 at No. 5, and Joseph Bishop came out on top of Bhavtararan Singh 6-3, 6-3 at No. 6.
 
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. 57 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 close out the season at No. 57 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Saturday at 1 p.m. It will be the Broncs final Southland Conference match as they are joining the WAC next season.