SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Augustana men's tennis team opens the 2023 spring season in Kearney, Nebraska, facing Midwestern State and Metro State. The Vikings take on the Midwestern State Mustangs on Saturday, then they will face the Roadrunners of Metro State on Sunday. 

AU enters this season picked fifth in the MIAA Preseason Coaches' Poll the league announced Wednesday. The Vikings collected five total points, Northwest Missouri State is tabbed as the preseason favorite with 33 total points and five first place votes. 

The men saw a strong start to the 2022-23 season at the ITA Regionals in Edmond, Oklahoma. The Vikings were highlighted by sophomore Henry Dornbusch. During the ITA Regionals Dornbusch bested Anton Sarunic of Meridian Community College. Previous to the ITA Regionals, Dornbusch saw success at the Drake Invite through defeating Division I competitor Nikita Snezhko of North Dakota (4-6, 6-4,10-6). 

Scouting the Competition
Midwestern State
The Mustangs begin their 2023 spring season receiving votes in the ITA Preseason Poll. MSU, a member of the Lone Star Conference, saw two individuals named to the LSC Preseason Players to Watch list. Charles Heffernan and Germano Setti were named to the watch list being just two of 14 male student-athletes being named. Heffernan returns for his second year with the Mustangs and holds a 17-7 singles career record. Setti will see his collegiate debut this weekend. 

Metro State
The Roadrunners begin their 2023 spring campaign following a 2-1 record in fall season competition. Metro State competed most recently at the ITA West Regionals seeing a trip to the quarterfinals for junior Jeanloup Auzias. Auzias is a highlighted returner for the Roadrunners after earning All-Pacwest second team honors in singles play last season. Metro State recently welcomed Juho Kantola who transferred to MSU Denver this season. Previous to MSU Denver, Kantola was a two time All-Great Lakes first team selection at Lake Superior State (Mich.).

–GoAugie.com–