BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University men's tennis team will kick off the 2019 fall season Friday at the Islander Open in Corpus Christi, Texas. The three-day event will run through Sunday afternoon and will be an individual format tournament. The tournament will serve as the season opener for both schools.
 
The tournament will allow the Cardinals' coaching staff an early-season look at a roster that boasts of just two seniors (Brock Lauer and Sebastian Santibanez), three juniors, two sophomores and two freshmen. Unlike the previous two seasons where LU has been an incredibly young squad, the 2019 roster boasts of an equal mix of experience and youthful talent.
 
One big question surrounds the Cards as they enter the new campaign and that is the health of Santibanez. He missed the 2019 campaign due to injuries, but if he returns healthy, he could help the Cardinals return to the top of the Southland standings this season.
 
The six-team tournament field includes host Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, UT Rio Grande Valley, UIW, UTSA, LU and Laredo College. The tournament will consist of five singles flights and three flights of doubles. Action is slated to begin at 9 a.m. each day weather permitting.