NEW ORLEANS, La. – The Kennesaw State men’s tennis team is set to start its third season of the program’s history on Friday afternoon when they take on Xavier University of Louisiana at 3 p.m. central time.

The match will be the 2011 spring season openers for both teams, while the Black and Gold are still in search of their first season opening win in program history as they have lost the previous two.

The Black and Gold return eight letter winners and all six starters from last year’s team that finished 7-14. The seven wins were the most victories the Black and Gold have recorded in a season since the program started in 2008. Non-conference play is where the Owls really flexed their muscles last season as they finished with a record of 6-5, which included winning five of their final six non-conference matchups.

Junior Simon Janik figures to be one of the leaders on this year’s squad as he held down the top of the Kennesaw State singles lineup last season finishing with a record of 6-13. He had most of his success at the No. 2 spot finishing 4-4 on the year.

Kennesaw State will travel to the Mississippi to take on Jackson State on Jan. 29, before coming home for their 2011 home opener against Georgia Southern on Feb. 6.