Sept. 19, 2008

BOCA RATON, FL - Florida Atlantic University's men's tennis team returns to the court with the goal of improving upon the program's highest national rank of no. 52 last season.

The Owls, under the direction of first-year coach Brandon Stokes, will begin with four weeks of pre-season practice before a schedule that features the UNF Invitational, October 9-12, the ITA SE Regional in Lexington, KY (October 16-20) and will round out the fall season at the UCF Invitational , October 31 through November 2.

FAU will also have individuals taking advantage of the local Open and Future Qualifying tournaments that have seen an FAU player advance each of the last two seasons.

These events highlight the fall season and will prepare the Owls for a national spring schedule. The focus of the seven returning players along with two newcomers will be to propel the team to a higher national rank and stronger Sun Belt Conference finish.

The fall is a time to expand upon the hard work logged in the summer. This fall, the nucleus of seven returning will welcome not only two newcomers, both Floridians, but will also get to know a new coach as well as his philosophies.

"We will spend the first four to six weeks of the fall semester getting to know each other," said Stokes. "As their coach, I must learn what motivates them as people and as athletes. As the athletes, our young team must learn the new demands, challenges, and opportunities that are in front of them."

Coach Stokes will incorporate his disciplined style with accountability and character development along with a great deal of enthusiasm. New physical and emotional thresholds will be developed through the efforts of Dr. Mitch Smith while the off the court training will be handled by strength coach Brian Binkley.