MIAMI SHORES, Fla. -- Barry University men's tennis team will open the season 3 p.m. Thursday against cross-town St. Thomas University.

This is the first of two matches the No. 1-ranked Buccaneers will host against the Bobcats. The Bucs will also play St. Thomas on April 15 at Buccaneer Tennis Center.

Barry won the NCAA Division II National Championship last season. St. Thomas was 6-11 last year. The Bobcats are off to a 1-2 start this season.

Junior All-American Ahmed Triki, junior Second Team All-Sunshine State selection Nico Dreer, senior First Team All-SSC pick Franco Echenique and senior Renato Lombardi are the veterans back on the Bucs roster. Five newcomers are also part of the 12-man lineup.