Sept. 10, 2009

The University of Dayton men's tennis team, and new coach Eric Mahone, will begin the 2009-10 season this weekend by playing at the University of Toledo's Rocket Invitational. Action starts at 8:30 a.m. Friday, as Toledo hosts Dayton, Denison, Kenyon and Wright State at the UT Varsity Tennis Courts. The tournment finishes on Saturday.

Mahone was named UD's head coach over the summer, replacing Steve Brumbaugh.

Dayton returns seven of eight letterwinners from a year ago, and adds two promising freshmen. Three-time All-Atlantic 10 performer Michael Rohanna at #1 singles heads the list of returnees.

"It's our first chance to see what we've got," Mahone said. "The team's efforts in practice have been great. It's a new way of doing things, but the upperclassmen have responded and the freshmen are looking good. I think you have to give the seniors (Rohana and Matt Sherman) credit for their strong leadership making the transition as good as it's been."

"We're all excited to start the season."