The Eastern men’s tennis team will host it’s season opener with the C. Roger Sorensen Invitational on Sept. 19-20 at Darling Courts with hopes of improving on their third place finish in the Ohio Valley Conference last season.

“This work ethic has become a disease and now everything we do is business,” fourth year head coach Brian Holzgrafe said. “Last year, with a good team, they fought so hard and we came up with something so great. This year we are going to take it one step further.”

The Panthers are one of eight teams competing in the tournament. The others include Xavier, DePaul, Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis, Indiana University-Purdue University at Fort Wayne, Wisconsin-Green Bay, Chicago State, and Wright State.

“This invitational will have some good teams and good players,” Holzgrafe said. “Some of the schools are a little bit larger and it will be interesting to see how things pan out. The caliber of teams that are coming is high and among them there will be some players that could crack the top 100 rankings in singles and doubles.”

Behind what Holzgrafe calls an improved player in their No.1 player CJ Weber and three freshmen recruits, he said the Panthers’ tennis program is continuing to grow.

“What the recent history of Eastern tennis has done is created a sense of hope,” Holzgrafe said. “Last season, we didn’t know what to expect. We were battling injuries, but the key seniors in those positions became so consistent.”

Holzgrafe said his team is going to use the non-conference invitational for preparation for their individual performance as well as team effort.

“We have some individuals that can put us on the map by bringing in good teams that will really help their potential,” Holzgrafe said.

Holzgrafe also said Weber and Brandon Blankenbaker are players who can bring national recognition for the Panthers’ program.

“(Weber’s) serve has improved,” Holzgrafe said. “It is weird how he has responded to a positive environment and it shows in the attitude and effort that he has put in.”

The Panthers will have three freshman players this season, Charles Levaque from Quebec, Brandon Lenfert, and Ryan Blankenbaker, younger brother of Brandon Blankenbaker.

“(Levaque) comes in as a freshman and has competed with some of our all-conference players from last year,” Holzgrafe said. “He is able to compete with our No. 1 and No.2 players and plays right with them. The seniors appreciate that and we needed a player like Chuck to come.”

Holzgrafe said the additions of Lenfert and Ryan Blankenbaker will improve the Panthers’ depth with their potential.

In addition, the Panthers have Jason Girardin and Colin Preistner, along with senior Eric Stuertz, who Holzgrafe said worked five hours a day in the off-season and improved significantly.

“I feel that everyone has come back improved this season,” Holzgrafe said.