TAMPA (January 22, 2016)— Following a successful 2015 campaign, the University of South Florida men's tennis team has high hopes for the upcoming season, beginning with the ITA Kick-Off Weekend, Jan. 23-24.
The Bulls reached a program-high ranking of 13 in this week's ITA/Oracle National Ranking and will welcome teams 29-31 to Tampa this weekend. USF will face No. 31 FSU at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 23. The 29th-ranked Bulldogs of Mississippi State and No. 30 LSU will also compete in this weekend's tournament. The winners of each match will compete on Sunday at 2 p.m. for a chance to advance to the ITA Division I National Men's Team Indoor Championship in Charlottesville, Va.
The Bulls return a strong lineup from last season, with reigning American Athletic Conference Player of the Year Roberto Cid leading the team in his senior season. Cid, currently ranked No. 17 in the country, is one of just two American players to crack the Top 25.
USF will have to replace just Oliver Pramming in its starting lineup, but welcomes FSU transfer Dominic Cotrone, who sat out the 2015 season. A two time All-ACC second team selection, Cotrone will face off against former teammates when the Bulls take on FSU Saturday.
The Bulls finished the 2015 season ranked No. 15 in the country after advancing to the program's first ever Sweet 16. The Bulls were one of just two unseeded teams to advance to the round of 16 after upsetting host Virginia Tech in the second round of the Blacksburg Regional.
This is the first year the Bulls have hosted a Kick-Off weekend tournament as they join 14 other schools as host sites. USF is the only Florida school that earned a hosting bid at the conclusion of last season.
Go to www.itatennis.com for more information on the ITA and the entire Kick-Off weekend for the ITA National Indoor Qualifier.
For more information on the USF men's tennis program, follow @USFBullsMTennis on Twitter.
Complete Weekend Schedule
Saturday, January 23
10 a.m. : LSU vs. Mississippi State
2 p.m. : USF vs. FSU
Sunday, January 24
10 a.m. : Consolation Match
2 p.m. : Championship Match
