TN: Mavs head to Midland to open 2016
9/14/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
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By Michael Eldridge | @DFWSportsMike
ARLINGTON, Texas - Following a historic year for the UT Arlington tennis program, the men and women return to action as they begin the fall portion of their schedule on Thursday at the Midland Fall Invitational.
"Midland is always one of the best tournaments that we will be playing," UT Arlington coach Diego Benitez said. "It is very prestigious and it is invitation only. We are very lucky and fortunate that we get the invite every year."
The men's squad finished with a school-record 18 wins in its Sun Belt Championship campaign, while the women tied for the second most wins in program history with 17, falling in the SBC semifinals. Both of the squads lost just one senior and return a wealth of talent to programs hoping to continue to make a splash this season around.
"We have set the bar high," Benitez said. "They really know what it feels like and how good of players they are. They are coming out there with a little more confidence and fewer nerves. I expect them to play the matches that way. In practice you can really tell they are having so much fun and know how to be champions."
First-team All-Conference selections Daniel Armengol and Jhonathan Gonzalez will be joined by Guanaterme Nuez and Mauricio Del Rio as the four Mavs representing the men's side.
"With the guys, I am excited to see how they come out and play after winning the Sun Belt," Benitez said. "They are really excited in practice and have been playing really well."
On the women's end, Angeles de los Rios, a first-team selection, joins SBC Player to Watch of 2016 Agustina Serio, Anna Wichert and Astrid Gehre. Gehre and de los Rios are defending champions on the doubles side, but will be playing with different partners this time around.
For Gehre, the path through the doubles bracket will also see a chance at moving up in the Maverick record book. Gehre needs just two wings to tie Giada D'ortona for eighth in all-time doubles wins, while de los Rios needs just two wins to move into the top 10.
Follow all of the action at the Midland Fall Invitational on Twitter by following @UTAMavsTennis.
