ANDERSON, S.C. - Looking to bounce back following a pair of disappointing seasons in 2014, Anderson University men's and women's tennis returns to the courts for their home openers against Division II newcomer Southern Wesleyan. The first-serves for both matches are scheduled to begin at 11 a.m.

Men's Tennis Looks to Right the Ship
The Trojans closed the 2014 spring season with a 9-9 record and was eliminated from the postseason in the opening round of the South Atlantic Conference Tournament by fourth-seeded Queens, 5-4. The early exit marked the third straight season AU has been 0-1 in the conference tournament after winning the event in 2011. Anderson looks to return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since that championship season.

During their fall slate, the AU's Juan Carracedo and Mateo Rivas shined at the Southeast Regional Small College ITA/USTA Championships in late September with two doubles wins. Their tournament campaign was highlighted by a win over the fifth-seeded team from Mount Olive in their second match of the day.

With the success in the tournament, the Carracedo and Rivas team was slotted No. 23 in the national ITA Rankings, which were announced in November. The tandem continued to receive recognition this spring, as they were listed on the Preseason All-SAC First Team Doubles list, following their second team honor at the end of last season. In singles, Carracedo landed on the Preseason All-SAC First Team after claiming the conference's Freshman of the Year honor in 2014.

Junior Paul Michael Calhoun joined the tandem by receiving all-conference honors, as the Starkville, Miss. native was placed on the Preseason All-SAC Second Team Singles squad. Along with the three all-conference award winners, AU also returns junior Inaki Iriberry and Alex Wallace, as Iriberry was named to the postseason All-SAC Honorable Mention Doubles list after last year.

The men's team carries a wealth of newcomers, including Division I transfer Nicolas Ascarrunz, who comes to the Upstate from Radford where he was a staple in the Highlander lineup. Also new to the team is Harrison Kansol who placed second in doubles at the ITA Summer Circuit in Tuscaloosa in late July.

A Young Roster is Ready to Shine
The women's tennis team is scheduled to carry just one senior on the roster in Lindsay Gregory. A fixture in the AU lineup for the last three seasons, Gregory has posted double-figure singles win in two of her first three years for the Black and Gold.

After a successful freshman season, Rebecca Bruning returns to the lineup after being honored by the SAC with a preseason first-team selection. Bruning also joined freshman Ivey Welborn on the All-SAC Second Team Doubles list after a successful fall season. The duo enter the spring season as the No. 22 ranked doubles pair in the country, according to the ITA Preseason Doubles Rankings.

Bruning closed the 2014 season with a 13-3 record, headlined by a 10-0 mark against conference opponents. A mainstay at the No. 3 position, Bruning finalized the campaign by winning eight of her final 10 matches last spring.

Juniors Alexandra Ebner and Nikkola Wichenko also return to the lineup for the Black and Gold, as they look to provide singles points throughout the year. The Trojans also welcome a talented group of newcomers to the roster, as Division I transfer Mairead Cleary could see some time at the top of the lineup after transferring from Oral Roberts.

The Opponent
In its final season in NAIA, the Southern Wesleyan men's team finished 3-11 on the season and 3-5 within the Southern States Athletic Conference. Sophomore Camilo Sandoval returns to the lineup after playing the 2014 season at the No. 1 position for the Warriors.

On the women's side, the Warriors look to bounce back after a disappointing 1-12 season. The sophomore team of Brooke Strickland and Elizabeth Mulker look to lead SWU this season, as the tandem is projected to play at the No. 1 doubles spot this season.