BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University head coach Scott Shankles is preparing to kick off his 13^th year at the helm of the Cardinals men's tennis program, and he's opening the year against two of the toughest teams in the country. The Cardinals officially kick off the season Friday at No. 3 Texas and will follow that up 24 hours later at No. 25 Baylor.
 
The season opener for both teams, the match against the Longhorns is set to begin at 4 p.m. from Texas Tennis Center. The match against the Bears will begin at 6 p.m. Saturday from the Hawkins Indoor Tennis Center.
 
Big Red enters the 2024 season looking to improve upon an 11-12 (.478) season last year that saw the Cardinals post a 2-3 (.400) mark in Southland Conference matches. The Cardinals return the heart of their lineup from the 2023 season including reigning SLC Player of the Year Max Amling.
 
A preseason favorite to win the national title, the Longhorns are coming off a 26-4 (.867) mark last season that saw them go undefeated in the Big 12, and a perfect 15-0 at home. Texas' 2023 season came to a close in the Final Four.
 
The Bears are looking to build off a 17-16 (.520) campaign last year that saw them post a 2-3 (.400) record in conference play. Baylor advanced to the NCAA Championships but got knocked out in the opening round of the tournament to No. 18 Florida State.
 
Friday's match kicks off a run of four consecutive matches away from home to start the new season for Lamar. The Cardinals will travel to Texas, Baylor, UT Rio Grande Valley (Jan. 19^th) and Rice (Jan. 21) before returning to Beaumont Jan. 27^th, to host Alcorn State in a doubleheader.