Hogs Drop First SEC Match on the Road at A&M

COLLEGE STATION, Texas- Arkansas Men’s Tennis (9-5, 0-1) competed in its first SEC match of the season when the Hogs took on the Texas A&M Aggies (8-5, 1-0) in College Station on Friday night. The Razorbacks put a lot of pressure on the hometown Aggies but ultimately fell, 4-3.

“Texas A&M responded to the pressure we applied,” Head Coach Andy Jackson said. “We must continue to play better in the must-have moments. We are progressing.”

Arkansas gutted out a big doubles win to start the evening, as the No. 47-ranked Razorbacks Adrien Burdet and Melvin Manuel won their set, 6-4, and then Arkansas’ Hunter Harrison and Jake Sweeney played some clutch tennis to clinch the doubles point with a 7-5 win on court three.

Razorback sophomore Aleksa Bucan won his first singles match at the sixth spot, taking down Luke Casper in three sets. Then, senior Alex Reco continued to impress at the top singles spot, saving four match points to defeat Noah Schachter, 3-6, 6-1, 7-6. 

The Razorbacks have a quick turnaround as they will travel home to face Vanderbilt on Sunday.

“Vanderbilt is off to a great start this year,” Jackson said, “and it’s going to be a big challenge that we look forward to.”

First serve is set for 1 p.m. CT.