DALLAS, Texas – The UT Arlington men's tennis team will begin their 2021 season this Saturday as they travel to Dallas to compete in the SMU Indoor Invitational against Utah on the campus of Southern Methodist University.
 
The Mavericks will be led by returning Freshman Angel Diaz, who was recently ranked No. 84 in the country in the pre-season ITA Division I Men's Singles poll.  A season ago, Diaz won every spring match that he finished, going a perfect 8-0.  In the fall of 2020, he went 4-3.
 
Daichi Akiyoshi looks to make a leap in his second year, as he currently leads the Mavericks with a 7-5 record following fall tournament play. He is just three wins shy of his win total from a season ago.  Alan Sau Franco will also continue to look to make an impact. After leading UTA with 14 wins last season, he returns by adding four wins from fall play.
 
In doubles action, the Mavericks had limited opportunity in the fall but still return all their teams from a season ago that won 36 overall matches. The teams of Miguel Cabrera and Diaz went 2-1 in the fall, while Eduard Simo and Solano Caffarena also went 2-1.
 
SCOUTING UTAH
The Utes are currently 1-0 on the season, winning their opening match against Grand Canyon 7-0 on Jan. 17 in Salt Lake City. Utah swept the doubles point, while winning each singles point in straight sets. A season ago, the Utes went 12-5 in the spring.
 
ON DECK
The Mavs will play their first home match of the season next weekend (Jan. 30) when they host UTPB at the UTA Tennis Center.
 
FOLLOW ALONG
For updates, behind-the-scenes photos, videos and more engaging and personal content, be sure to follow the men's tennis program on Twitter (@UTAMavsMTEN) Instagram (@UTAMavsMTEN ) and Facebook ( /UTAMavsMTEN ).