KALAMAZOO, Mich. – For the first time since March 1, 2020, the Western Michigan men's tennis team will take the courts in competition, hosting Grand Valley State in a double-header on Friday and Ferris State in another double-header on Sunday.
The Broncos and the Lakers open play beginning at noon and WMU and FSU start on Sunday at 2 p.m., both at West Hills Athletic Club. Please note that due to Michigan Department of Health and Human Services regulations, no spectators will be allowed.
ALMOST THERE
Jannik Opitz, the 2019 Mid-American Conference Player of the Year, entered last season with a chance at becoming the all-time wins leader in the history of the Western Michigan men's tennis program. That chance was cut short due to the COVID-19 outbreak, ending WMU's season with eight matches left and the Mid-American Conference Tournament.
Opitz enters the weekend with a record of 201-73 and currently sits sixth on the all-time wins list. He sits just three behind Brady Crosby (204, 2003-07) and seven behind Jose Orozco (208, 2002-06). Ahead of that pair lies Ravi Pathanjali (211, 2000-04), R.J. Dunkle (1982-85) and all-time leader Michael Calderone (216, 2007-11). Calderone became the all-time wins leader on April 23, 2011 in a match against Kalamazoo College, breaking Dunkle's mark that had stood for 26 years.
BALANCED TEAM
Western Michigan enters the 2020-21 season with a near equal mix of veterans and youth. WMU has six underclassmen, including five freshmen in Jackson Boone, Joaquin Caballer Benjamin George, Brogan Pierce and Ferdinand Schlueter. The lone sophomore is Arjun Honnappa. The upperclassmen are five deep with juniors Peter Kuszynski, Fynn Lohse and Jack Randall and seniors Zac Faveri and Jannik Opitz.
GLOBAL APPEAL
As usual with the Western Michigan men's tennis program under long-time head coach Dave Morin, the 2020-21 has plenty of international appeal. Broncos on the roster represent the Canada, Dominican Republic, Germany, India and the United States.
ON THE HORIZON
The Broncos remain at home next weekend hosting Illinois State on Saturday in a double-header beginning at 10 a.m. On Sunday, WMU welcomes DePaul for a single match beginning at 2 p.m.
