MARSHALL, Texas – Continuing their fall momentum as a team to look out for, the East Texas Baptist University men's tennis team has been picked to finish second in the American Southwest Conference East Division. They edged out LeTourneau University for second place with 34 points.
 
Texas Dallas was chosen to win the East Division with 50 points followed by ETBU, LeTourneau (32 points), Ozarks (23 points), and Howard Payne (11 points). ETBU went 1-3 last season in the ASC East but had an exciting fall with a strong recruiting class. Freshman Sam Black and graduate student Bruno Brocanelli are on the ASC Preseason Players to Watch List. Both are newcomers to the program this season.
 
The fall proved to be an eye opener for ETBU as they created some noise at the ITA Regional Championships. For the first time in program history, they won a championship draw as Brocanelli and Jake Gibson took the 'B' doubles championship over UMHB. Slade Austin then lost in the 'B' Draw singles championship on a super tie breaker.
 
Austin and Randall Lemon both return from last year's team as head coach Drew Lambert brought in nine new players. Austin was an All-ASC second team selection at doubles.
 
ETBU starts their 2023 spring season in Central Texas on Friday at Texas Lutheran University.