KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Defending Mid-American Conference Champions Western Michigan men's tennis is excited to start the 2018-19 season off with the WMU/Vredevelt Invitational, running from Friday, Sept. 21 to Sunday, Sept. 23. Weather permitting, the invitational will be played out on the Sorensen Courts with Friday set to begin at 2:30 p.m.
 
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"We started school early this year and our guys have been working hard on their own and in team practices," commented WMU head coach Dave Morin. "Pablo and I really like what we've seen so far and we're excited to get the season started with our home tournament honoring our former head coaching legend Jack Vredevelt."

Last season, the Broncos continued their MAC dominance, going 22-5 overall, 7-0 in conference play and an impressive 11-0 at home as Western Michigan propelled its way to its 25th conference regular-season title and 12th tournament championship after defeating Buffalo, 4-2. Morin earned his eleventh MAC Head Coach of the Year award while senior Maik Steiner became the first Bronco since 2012 to be named MAC Player of the Year.

This year's WMU squad features 11 student-athletes, including five seniors, two juniors, one sophomore and three freshmen.

Senior captain Lenhard Haupt will play a big role in his final season for the Broncos after a successful junior year. Haupt was named to the All-MAC Second Team and was Academic All-MAC after playing primarily at No. 3 and No. 4 with a 27-12 singles record and a 6-1 stint against conference opponents. Captain Matej Svjetlicic had an impressive third season after becoming one of three Broncos to post 30 singles wins on the season and was named WMU's Most Improved Player. Kris Knof and the dynamic doubles duo of Eric Olivarez and Nick Schnobel round out the Bronco senior class.

The juniors include All-MAC Second Team Kennosuke Nouchi, who went 17-19 in singles and played primarily at No. 2 and No. 3, and captain Jannik Opitz who went 53-24 overall with a 30-10 singles record to earn conference first team honors.  

The lone sophomore Zac Faveri played in 18 matches during his first year with the Brown & Gold, posting a 9-9 singles record. The three Bronco freshman include Nicholas Hebda, Peter Kuszynski and Jack Randall.
At this weekend's WMU/Vredevelt Invitational, the first of two home tournaments for the Broncos, will be Butler, University of Chicago, DePaul, Detroit Mercy, Illinois State, Notre Dame, who defeated the Broncos in the NCAA Tournament First Round, Purdue and Valparaiso.

Weather permitting, this weekend will include three singles rounds and three doubles rounds. Singles flights include seven draws of eight players, one draw of five players and one draw of four while the doubles flights consist of draws of eight teams.

Entrance to all home WMU tennis events are free of charge. Fans are welcome to park in the parking structure above the courts on W. Michigan Ave.

Following the weekend, the Broncos will split up and participate in the Toledo Rocket Invite which runs from Sept. 28-30 in Toledo, Ohio while the rest compete in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association All-American. The selected players will head to Tulsa, Okla. with the tournament starting on Sept. 29 and running till Oct. 8.