RIO GRANDE VALLEY – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros men's tennis team will play its home opener Friday at 10 a.m. against the Lamar Cardinals at the Orville Cox Tennis Center.
 
Friday's contest will kick off a string of four matches in three days for UTRGV (0-2). The Vaqueros hope to have some rowdy fans in the stands to help them take on the Cardinals (0-2) in a match that typically offers some fiery tennis. 
 
"It'll be good to see as many people out here as possible," junior Sam Whitehead said. "We're really excited to get out here and play at home for the first year. All the new guys are really excited and it would be really nice for them to get some support." 
 
UTRGV is 40-35-3 all-time against Lamar, but the Cardinals have won three straight in the series, including last year's tight 4-3 match that was weather suspended with the teams knotted at 3-all. 
 
Right after the home opener, the Vaqueros will head north for three matches in San Antonio. UTRGV will play twice Saturday, first facing Incarnate Word at 11 a.m. and then playing St. Mary's at 3:30 p.m. The Vaqueros are slated to close the weekend with a 12 p.m. match at UTSA on Sunday. 
 
"It's a busy weekend and should be a great one overall," men's tennis head coach Nathan Robinson said. "Incarnate Word's always a battle for us. St. Mary's is a great Div. II program and it's good for our guys to see them. UTSA is a tough program you have to be ready to play. Last year we played them pretty tight, so it should be a good, competitive match. All of the teams we're playing this weekend, we know them well, we play them yearly, so it's about who can execute the best and who can be in the best mindset." 
 
UTRGV is already battle-tested in the young season after playing (RV) Oklahoma State and Omaha indoors during the first competition weekend of the season. Whitehead picked up his first victory against a Power Five opponent with his singles win on court five against Oklahoma State, while freshman Ivo Isqueiro and sophomore McAllen Memorial alum Agustin Salazar got on the board against Omaha. 
 
Robinson liked the way his young team competed during a difficult first week and he praised the way they've been working to get ready for another competitive weekend ahead. The Vaqueros hope to create some momentum during Friday's home match with help from the UTRGV faithful and ride that on the road. 
 
"It's going to be a tough road trip against some good teams and a lot of tennis in a short amount of time," Whitehead said. "We're going to have to be ready physically and mentally. We're looking forward to it and we're ready for it and hopefully we can get a few wins on the road." 

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