Razorbacks at Purdue Invite

FAYETTEVILLE – Arkansas’ men’s tennis team gets is season underway this weekend with the individual draw Purdue Invitational in West Lafayette, Ind.

Head coach Robert Cox is playing sophomore Mike Ward, freshman Mike Nott, junior Nikolas Zogaj and junior Taj Harrison.

Twelve schools will be represented in the event, including Notre Dame, Iowa and Dayton.

"We’re excited about opening up this weekend," Cox says. "Each player is guaranteed two matches. Our goal is to grow each and every day."

Nott is the younger brother of Razorback senior Chris Nott.

"Mike is a very exciting freshman," Cox says. "We’re looking for big things out of him."

Chris, who was a second-team All-Southeastern Conference selection a year ago, is ranked No. 41 in the country in the pre-season Campbell’s ITA College Tennis Rankings.

Nott, from Chorley, England, was 17-16 in singles last season and selected as an alternate for the NCAA individual championship.

"Chris ended the season last year really well," Cox says. "For him to be ranked No. 41 in the pre-season is a testament to what the other coaches around the country think of him as one of the elite players in the nation."

Nott and Matt Hogan, a senior from Canberra, Australia, are ranked No. 37 in doubles. Nott went 22-14 in doubles last season while Hogan was 14-13. Hogan was also 12-17 in singles.