HOUSTON — The LSU men’s tennis team will begin its 2004 fall season Friday at the Rice Crowne Plaza Invitational, where newcomers Mark Growcott and Jonathan Howard will see their first action as Tigers.
Growcott, a highly-touted transfer from Tyler Junior College, returns to Texas to make his debut in the A flight singles bracket Friday at 11 a.m.
Howard plays Tulsa’s Andy Connelly in the D bracket.
“It’s going to be a chance for the new guys to get off on the right foot,” said LSU head coach Jeff Brown, who begins his eighth season leading the program.
Seniors Jason Hazley and Peter Richman will also play this weekend. Hazley was part of last year’s 15th-ranked doubles team and will pair this tournament with sophomore Danny Bryan in the A flight doubles bracket.
Richman will face Tulsa’s Federico Soriano in the first round of the B flight singles bracket and play with Growcott in the A doubles bracket.
“We’re excited to get started,” Brown said. “The guys are looking forward to it. It will be a change of pace from practicing with our own guys.”
LSU finished last season ranked in No. 13 in the nation in team standings.