SAN FRANCISCO –– The USF men's tennis team will kick off their fall schedule this weekend at the Silverado Invitational in Napa, Calif., with the first match set to begin on Friday morning. Each day will begin with the doubles matches, followed by singles. 

Representing the Dons in the season opener will be seniors Nils Skajaa, Vasco Valverde, Thomas Takemoto and freshman Ryan Marker. Skajaa will play No. 1 singles, with Valverde playing No. 2, Takemoto at No. 3 and Marker at No. 4. Skajaa will pair with Valverde for No. 1 doubles and Takemoto and Marker will make up the No. 2 doubles team.

Although just a freshman, Marker has already impacted the team with his maturity.

"He has a really high standard and is already working really hard and pushing all the seniors a lot," said head men's tennis coach Pablo Pires de Almeida. "He competes at a high level and the standard that he brings to the court is impressive."

In last year's tournament, the University of the Pacific took home the team event, something the Dons hope to accomplish this time around. 

"We've never won this event, so we are trying to win it from a team perspective," Pires de Almeida said. "Last year, Bernardo Saraiva won singles and doubles with Nils. The returners are trying to start with a lot of confidence and build. Those guys have played in this tournament for two or three years now and want this victory."

Joining USF in the field will be the University of Pacific, Oklahoma State University, Southern Methodist University, University of Hawaii and University of Tulsa.  

Up Next

The Dons will return home to host the Battle in the Bay Classic next weekend. The tournament, held at the California Tennis Club, will take place from Sept. 18 to Sept. 20.