TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Samford men's tennis team will open the 2017 spring season by playing at the University of Alabama Monday at 6 p.m.
 
Samford returns an experienced lineup from last season's team that posted a record of 13-5 overall and 6-1 in Southern Conference play. The returning players include juniors Jake Faundez, Justin Ghavami, Eduardo Lourido Sanchez and Austin Heinz.
 
Last season, Faundez posted a singles record of 12-2, playing at both the No. 5 (3-0) and No. 6 (9-2) singles positions. Ghavami finished the season with a record of 12-5, all at the No. 3 singles spot. Sanchez had a record of 4-6 last season, playing at No. 4 (0-1), No.  5 (3-5) and No. 6 (1-0). Heinz was 1-0 last season at the No. 4 spot.
 
Samford also welcomes three newcomers to the team this season. Hugo Moreira, Max Rebol and Curran Verma join the squad as freshmen this season.
 
Samford and Alabama opened last season with a match in Tuscaloosa as well. Alabama won last season's meeting, 6-1. Faundez earned Samford's lone win in the match, defeating Alabama's Sam Edwards, 3-6, 6-3,10-7.
 
A full recap and results will be posted to www.samfordsports.com following the completion of the match.