AUSTIN, Texas – The Concordia Texas men's tennis team returns in 2021 with an experienced lineup and high hopes of building on their winning pedigree when they open their season on Saturday against Texas Wesleyan at River Place Country Club.

After the success in 2019, which saw the Tornados win their first divisional title and reach their first-ever conference tournament championship match, their opportunity of continuing the winning momentum was dashed as last season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now in 2021, under fourth-year head coach Luke Helm, their aspirations of a conference title are revived as four All-American Southwest Conference selections return along with promising new faces a part of the program.

In the ASC Preseason Poll, CTX was voted to finish second in the ASC West, earning 60 points and four first-place votes, close behind Hardin-Simmons, who was picked to win the division with 65 points and six first-place votes.

Last season the Tornados went 4-1 before having their season canceled due to COVID-19, but have promising goals after going undefeated in the west division back in 2019 for their first-ever divisional championship.

Concordia Texas will have an array of weapons to use on the court, including the return of 2019 Intercollegiate Tennis Association All-American Joshua Bode as well as Esteban Arredondo, who was named to the ASC's Preseason Players to Watch list and was an All-ASC West Second Team selection two years ago.

Also returning along with them are Jorge Garcia and Evan Pena Jr. Garcia was an All-ASC West Second Team honoree after his freshman performance back in 2019, while Pena Jr. received ASC All-Conference honors for his play at line five during his freshman campaign.

The Tornados will rely on the play of newcomers Joeri Bregman and Nico De La Pena as well. Bregman is a freshman out of Zoetermeer, The Netherlands, who was an ASC Preseason Player to Watch pick, while De La Pena transferred into CTX from Cerritos College.

Concordia Texas will open the season with non-conference matchups against the Rams of Texas Wesleyan as well as facing Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference foes Schreiner and Southwestern.

On March 12, the Tornados will face UT Dallas in a rematch of the 2019 ASC Championship match before beginning conference play on March 27, hosting McMurry at River Place Country Club in Austin, Texas.

Concordia Texas will close out the season with a road match vs. Mary Hardin-Baylor on April 17 followed by their home finale against St. Thomas (TX) on April 24.

The ASC Tournament will be held on April 29-May 1 in a single elimination bracket, with the top four seeds from each division qualifying and will be hosted by the top seed out of the east division.

The Tornados hope to return to the ASC Championship match for the second straight time and begin their journey on Saturday when they host TWU at 3 p.m. at River Place Country Club in Austin, Texas.