With Bears ranked 5th nationally, Baylor tennis ready for 2020

The Baylor men’s and women’s tennis teams opened the 2020 season on a winning note over the weekend, setting an early stage for success for two programs perennially among the Big 12’s and nation’s best.

Men’s tennis begins the year ranked 5th nationally following a successful 2019 season that saw the Bears earn a Big 12 Tournament title and reach the NCAA quarterfinals. Their No. 5 ranking is the second-highest in the Big 12 — which is interesting, because Big 12 coaches picked the Bears as the preseason favorite to win the conference.

Head coach Brian Boland, in his second year at the helm, will lead a young team comprised of four returning letterwinners — including 2019 all-American Sven Lah — and a talented group of newcomers, led by the nation’s No. 1 recruit, Jenson Brooksby. Boland’s squad will face a challenging schedule that includes 12 opponents in the preseason top 25.

On the women’s side, Baylor was picked third in the Big 12 preseason coaches poll and opens the year with designs on reclaiming their spot among the Big 12’s top teams. Head coach Joey Scrivano’s squad has made the postseason nine out of the last 10 years, and is looking to get back in 2020.

Leadership will come from four-year veterans Angie Shakhraichuk and Jessica Hinojosa. Shakhraichuk enters the season with momentum after winning the USTA National Collegiate Classic singles title last month in California. This year’s non-conference schedule includes home matches against three Big 10 opponents (Nebraska, Illinois and Northwestern) before a strong Big 12 slate.

Sic ’em, Baylor tennis!