The Butler men's tennis team opens the 2019 season on Friday, traveling to Louisville, Ky. to take on the Cardinals and the Bellarmine Knights. This is the first spring season under new head coach Daniel Pollock.

"We're excited to get the season underway.  As competitors, this is the time of year that you live for," Pollock said.  "There's nothing quite like the twists and turns of dual match competition to get the heart pumping and the adrenaline flowing."

 "Playing such a quality opponent as Louisville right out of the gate will be a great chance for us to see where we stand right now relative to where we want to be in April.  It's a great opportunity to get immediate exposure to extremely high level tennis."

The Bulldogs are led by captains Mason Dragos and Spencer Lang, two of six seniors on the Bulldog roster. Returning BIG EAST Rookie of the year Michael Dickson will also play a large role for Butler.

Dickson finished the 2018 fall season 7-6 in singles play, advancing to the round of 32 at ITA Regionals in October. The sophomore also teamed up with Adrian Mag in doubles play, finishing the fall with a 5-3 record and an appearance in the ITA Regional semifinals.

Dragos, a three-time All-BIG EAST First Team member, also saw success in singles play, finishing the fall 8-3. The senior advanced to the semifinals in singles play at the Viking Invitational, hosted by Cleveland State. In doubles play, Dragos and teammate Aviv Ben Shabat posted a 10-5 record, including an appearance in the ITA Regional semifinals.

Freshman Ryan Roegner will make an impact for Butler after a successful fall season as a Bulldogs. The rookie finished 10-5 in singles play, posting a 2-1 record at Central Michigan in his first competition of the season. Roegner also posted a 4-2 record at Cleveland State, playing in the consolation final of the Viking Invitational.

The Bulldogs will continue the spring season on Jan. 26, traveling to Iowa City to take on Big Ten opponent Iowa as well as East Tennessee State. BIG EAST play begins on March 29 when the Bulldogs head to Philadelphia, Pa. to face the Villanova Wildcats.