Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Salukis open season at Purdue Fall Invitational
09/24/2015 | 12:00:00 | Men's Tennis
What? Purdue Fall Invitational
Where? West Lafayette, Ind.
When? Sept. 25 to Sept. 27
Venues: Schwartz Tennis Center and Purdue Sports Rec Center Tennis Courts
Who? (15 teams) Ball State, Butler, Chicago State, Dayton, Eastern Kentucky, IUPUI, Lewis University, Louisville, Marquette, Southern Illinois, Tennessee, Tennessee Tech, Toledo, Indianapolis, Wright State
By Tony McDaniel
SIUSalukis.com
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Following a long offseason, the Saluki men's tennis season is set to begin with the Purdue Fall Invitational.
The Salukis will be one of 15 teams converging on the Schwartz Tennis Center this weekend. The field includes two teams that ended the 2013-14 season ranked in the ITA top-75, Louisville and Tennessee. Both teams are on SIU's schedule for the dual match season, which provides the Salukis with a unique look at their upcoming opponents. The tournament begins Friday and concludes on Sunday.
"I expect us to compete, no matter who is on the other side of the net," coach Dann Nelson said. "These fall tournaments are perfect for guys to show how hard they've been training. We have some high expectations especially for doubles."
Friday's action will feature two rounds of singles play and one round of doubles. Saturday will feature a round of singles action and two rounds of doubles. The tournament will culminate on Sunday with the finals of all the tournament's flights.
This weekend's trip to West Lafayette, Ind. allows SIU graduate assistant coach Pawel Poziomski an opportunity to return to his alma mater. Poziomski played his collegiate tennis at Purdue, helping his team to a top-30 national ranking and a trip to the Big Ten Conference Tournament Quarterfinals. He was also a student assistant coach as a fifth-year senior for the Boilermakers.
"He's excited to show our guys where he played his college tennis," Nelson said. "Hopefully he can find some good places to eat that no one else knows about."
The Salukis have appeared in the Purdue Fall Invitational once before in 2010 when Adam Fabik won the Flight A Main Draw as a freshman. Falk De Beenhouwer advanced to the Flight C Main Draw finals that year as well.
This year's tournament will provide two players, junior Wider Pimentel and freshman Thomas Kyle, their first taste of tennis as a Saluki. Pimentel played at VCU last season, but Kyle will get his first shot at tennis at the collegiate level.
The Purdue Fall Invitational gives the Salukis a chance to turn over a new leaf.
Last year, SIU fielded a team with six freshmen and just two upper classmen. That inexperience led to a 6-16 record in the dual match season and a fourth place finish in the Missouri Valley Conference.
This season, the Salukis look to be far better. Senior Jonny Rigby and junior Michal Kianicka will lead the more experienced Salukis. Sophomores Daniel Martinez, Alex Pozo and Peter Molloy all have an extra year of experience under their belts. Add in transfers Pimentel and sophomore Shane Trebisky and the Salukis are ripe for a turn-around season.
"I think the difference between this year and last year is this year we have one freshman, last year we had six," Nelson said. "Expectations are a little bit higher. I feel like we can be a pretty strong team."
Players Mentioned
