Kansas City
University of Nebraska
Men's Tennis Prepares to Open Season in Nebraska
1/30/2020 3:18:00 PM | Men's Tennis
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - After a brief winter off-season, the 2020 Kansas City men's tennis is back and ready for action, beginning this weekend against the University of Nebraska. The Roos kick off against the Huskers, the first of many quality opponents, which includes Oklahoma and Oklahoma State later in the season.Â
Both the Sooners and Cowboys qualified for the 2019 NCAA Tournament, with OU reaching the Third Round, and OSU reaching the Second. The Roos will take on Oklahoma in Norman on Mar. 7, and will travel to Stillwater on Mar. 15 to play the Cowboys.
Kansas City returns five players from last year's team. Diego Giraldo, who was named to the All-WAC Singles Second Team in 2019, and won Western Athletic Conference player of the month this past October, will be expected to carry a large load for Kansas City.
"I'm really looking to our seniors and captains to step up this season," Kendell Hale, in his 11th season as the Roos' head coach, said. "Diego is coming off a great year last year and with help from Austin Williams and Tom Kruse we should have strong leadership."
The Roos will play in four home matches before hosting the WAC Tennis Championship at the Plaza Tennis Center in late April. Wichita State will come to town on Feb. 4, followed by Oral Roberts on Feb. 21 and Abilene Christian on Mar. 12. They will be on the road to open conference play, before hosting Northwest Missouri State on April 1.
On April 24-26, the rest of the WAC will be in Kansas City for the Conference Championship. The Roos will search for their eighth NCAA Tournament qualification in program history and the first since 2017.
