Razorback Netters Host Vanderbilt Kentucky in Return Home

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas will play its first home matches in a month this weekend when it hosts Southeastern Conference opponents Vanderbilt and Kentucky at the UA Outdoor Tennis Complex in Fayetteville.

The Razorbacks (6-10, 0-2 SEC) have not played a match in Fayetteville since a, 4-3, loss to Oklahoma February 9. UA played seven matches away from home during that time.

Arkansas was defeated in its first two SEC matches. The Razorbacks were shutout by both No. 1 Georgia and then-No. 30 Tennessee.

Razorback sophomore Blake Strode leads Coach Robert Cox’s lineup. Strode, a native of St. Louis, Mo., is 18-7 on the season and 9-4 in dual matches. Behind Strode, Cox’s lineup will feature junior Colin Mascall, and then freshmen Dmitry Vlaskin, Dmitry Lebedev, Bradwin Williams and Jorge Villanueva or Gabriel Mattos.

Friday, the Hogs host 32nd-ranked Vanderbilt at 1:30 p.m. The Commodores (7-5, 1-1 SEC) split at home with Alabama and Auburn on their opening weekend of conference play. Vanderbilt lost a week ago to Alabama, 4-3, before knocking off Auburn, 5-2, last Sunday. The Commodores are led by 38th-ranked Ryan Preston. The junior is 13-7 on the year.

47th-ranked Kentucky comes to town Sunday for a 1 p.m. match. The Wildcats (7-5, 1-1 SEC) lost at home to Auburn a week ago, 6-1, before upsetting Alabama, 4-3, Sunday. Sophomore Bruno Agostinelli, the nation’s 68th-ranked player, leads the Wildcats with a 15-7 record.

Both matches are set to be held at the UA Outdoor Tennis Complex, weather permitting. In case of inclement weather, the matches will be moved inside to the Dills Indoor Tennis Center.

The UA Tennis Complex is located across from Bud Walton Arena on Razorback Road. There will be free pizza and beverages available to fans.

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