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BLACKSBURG, Va. – The 38th-ranked Virginia Tech men’s tennis team opens the 2015 spring dual season on Saturday, Jan. 17, hosting Coastal Carolina at 10 a.m. before taking on James Madison at 3 p.m. in Burrows-Burleson Tennis Center.

Junior Amerigo Contini enters the spring season ranked 35th in singles while classmate Andreas Bjerrehus has earned a ranking of 61st. Sophomore Florian Nicoud appears in the list for the first time in his career, making the debut at 94th.

Contini played to a 9-5 record this fall, including a 5-1 mark at the ITA Atlantic Regional where he advanced to the singles finals. Bjerrehus put together an 8-4 record in the fall while going 2-3 against nationally ranked foes. The Aarhus, Denmark native had a big win at the ITA All-American, defeating Duke’s then 27th-ranked Jason Tahir. Nicoud boasted an 11-4 record during fall competition and advanced to the quarterfinals of the ITA Atlantic Regional after defeating UVA’s then-ranked 74th Mac Styslinger.

Joao Monteiro and Aaron Gomez were also strong for the Hokies in the fall. Monteiro tallied an 8-4 record in singles while Gomez went 7-4.

Tech added a new team member this semester as Edoardo Tessaro will be on the court for the first time for the Hokies. Tessaro is a junior from Uggiate Trevano, Italy.

Coastal Carolina was picked to finish first in the Big South preseason coaches poll after finishing last season 13-10 overall and advancing to the conference tournament semifinals. The Chanticleers return seven from last season’s team including Renan Samed who is ranked 119th in the ITA standings. The Hokies defeated Coastal 7-0 last season in Blacksburg, winning all matches in straight sets.

James Madison finished 9-12 last season and advanced to the semifinals of the CAA tournament before falling to eventual champion UNC Wilmington. The Dukes return six from last season’s team. Tech downed JMU 7-0 last season, winning all matches in straight sets.

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