FORT SMITH, Ark. - University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Men's Tennis will open its spring season Friday, jumping right into MIAA/GAC play by hosting Harding at 12:30 p.m. at The Hangout.

It will be the first of 15 matches this spring for the Lions, with seven of those matches coming at home. The Lions will have four MIAA/GAC matches, as well.

UAFS returns just three players from last year's squad, led by No. 1 Eduardo Bribiesca. Bribiesca went 12-5 at the top singles spot last season while posting five doubles wins. Returners Kevin Praphan and Rodrigo Hoppe teamed to win the Flight 3 doubles title at the TAMUT Eagle Invite in the fall.

The Lions will feature four newcomers this year, including Birk Arwedahl, who advanced to the Flight 2 singles championship at the TAMUT Eagle Invite while also teaming with Bribiesca in reaching the semifinals at the ITA Central Regional.

UAFS was picked tied for fifth in the MIAA/GAC South Division with 15 points. The top four teams from each division will advance to the MIAA/GAC Championship April 29-May 1 at the Cooper Tennis Complex in Springfield, Missouri.