Clemson invite kicks off season

After deciding not to attend the Ball State Invitational last weekend, the men's tennis team will kick off its season today with the Clemson Invitational in Clemson, S.C. The competition continues through Saturday and Sunday.\nHaving not played a match yet this year, the Hoosiers are looking to see how they stack up against other competition. Coach Ken Hydinger said he's excited for the opportunity to start playing competitively in the tournament.\n"The tournament is the first one of the year for the team. The players will be able to test out in a match what they have been doing in practice," Hydinger said.\nHydinger said the team will look for two freshman, Viktor Libal and John Stone, to make an impact in their first collegiate play. In the team's challenge match in practice Libal won all of his matches, bolstering his position in the lineup.\n"The tournament will be a great way for the freshman to get their feet wet and for all the players to start off the season," Hydinger said.\nThe format of the invitational is different than most. Sixty-four players will compete in matches against one another with no rankings or seedings. In high school, invitationals usually include three levels of singles matches and two levels of doubles, meaning this weekend will be an adjustment for Stone and Libal.\n"With the different type of tournament than high school it should be a lot harder and more challenging than the matches that I am used to," Stone said. "I am more excited than nervous, although it will be harder. I am looking forward to the opportunity to play against some really good players."\nThe team will face a field featuring many of the top teams from the southern part of the country, including South Alabama, Clemson and Furman. \nHydinger said he has respect in particular for Clemson's program. \n"They are a great team who has always treated the game with respect and dignity," Hydinger said. "[Their] players always work and compete hard."\nHydinger believes his team is ready for the tournament. He said the team can be competitive with all the teams there.\nOther players Hydinger will count on over the weekend are senior Zach Held and sophomore Jakub Praibis. Held went 14-14 in doubles play and advanced to the finals of the Clemson Fall Classic last year. Praibis went 15-5 in singles play last year as a freshman.\nLast year the Hoosiers went 7-16, but only 1-9 in the Big Ten, finishing last in the conference. After the Clemson Invitational, the team continues its three-match season-opening road trip with an Oct. 24 game at the ITA Regional Championships in Madison, Wis.