ATLANTA--First-year Georgia State men's tennis head coach Joerg Barthel announced the hiring of Cesar Vargas as assistant coach on Friday. Vargas will assist with practices and on-court coaching, player development, team travel and recruiting.

Vargas brings high-level Division I playing experience to the Georgia State men's tennis program after playing collegiately at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He started in the No. 2 singles and doubles position during his senior season and was the team co-captain his senior year. He was an Academic All-Big 12 selection across various semesters while at Nebraska.

"I am extremely excited to add Cesar to our coaching staff and to the Georgia State family," Barthel said, "He brings a wealth of tennis knowledge to our program and understands the philosophy we are trying to build here at GSU."

After his playing career, Vargas was a graduate assistant coach with the men's tennis program at Nebraska for one season. He graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2004 after double majoring in international business and marketing.

Vargas owns more than six years of full-time tennis coaching experience. He is a certified teaching professional by both the United State Professional Tennis Association and the Professional Tennis Registry.

Vargas hails from Mazatlan, Mexico. He achieved a high ranking of No. 9 on the junior circuit in Mexico. He grew up playing prep school at Edina High School in Minnesota and won the Minnesota State High School Class AA State Championship as an individual and a team. Vargas was also a four-time state champion in Sinaloa, Mexico.

Georgia State men's tennis begins its fall schedule in late September. Visit the men's tennis page throughout the fall to find fall tournament results and recaps.

www.GeorgiaStateSports.com