After four tough matches to open the season, the Stanford men’s tennis team returns to the court today when it hosts the University of Hawaii at the Taube Family Tennis Center. The Cardinal faced one of the toughest opening schedules in the country when it played three teams ranked in the nation’s top-10 in the past two weeks. But that stretch is over now, and the Card faces a less daunting opponent in the Warriors.

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Junior Matt Bruch looks to lead Stanford to its first victory of the season. The Cardinal hosts Hawaii today, a team it has already beaten once this year. #gallery http://daily.stanford.edu/image/full/8485
Jaclyn Tandler

Junior Matt Bruch looks to lead Stanford to its first victory of the season. The Cardinal hosts Hawaii today, a team it has already beaten once this year.

Over Thanksgiving break, Stanford traveled to Hawaii to play the Warriors in a preseason match. The Cardinal won easily that day, 5-1; however, Hawaii only had five eligible players and therefore forfeited at No. 6 singles and No. 3 doubles. Unfortunately for Stanford, Hawaii is not the same team as the Cardinal saw three months ago.

“They only had five guys the last time,” said head coach John Whitlinger. “They added a really good player and their top three guys are all solid. They are a formidable team. It’s going to be a good match.”

Hawaii features a very good freshman in Dennis Lajola, who just joined the team and has only played two matches. He has won both, including a straight sets victory over No. 68 Sam Chang of Florida State.

The Warriors are led by sophomore Andreas Weber, ranked 25th in the nation. Weber is 11-3 on the season and 4-1 in dual matches. He beat junior Matt Bruch this year in three sets during the preseason match, scoring Hawaii’s only point in the match. Perhaps the toughest challenge for Stanford will be junior Sascha Heinemann, who leads the team with a 16-5 record this season and a 5-0 record in dual matches. Heinemann and Weber also team up in doubles.

Hawaii is 1-4 on the season and currently in the middle of a four-game road trip in Northern California. They dropped a match to San Francisco yesterday, 4-3. After Stanford, they will face No. 70 Fresno State and Oregon; both matches will be played at Fresno State.

Stanford feels confident that today will mark its first win of the season. After playing some of the toughest opponents in the nation, the players believe the experience will help them from here on out.

“We didn’t come out with the wins, but we are hitting the ball well and we are getting better every day,” said junior Blake Muller. “We aren’t going to underestimate our opponent or take it lightly.”

“I like where we are at right now,” said Whitlinger. “We have played the best. The guys are confident.”

Today’s action begins at 1:30 p.m. at the Taube Tennis Center.