@RazorbackMTEN Prepares To Host Alabama On Thursday
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas men’s tennis team (10-5, 0-1 SEC) will host Alabama in its second SEC match of the season at the Dills Indoor Tennis Center at 3 p.m., CT on Thursday.
Admission is free and open to the public. The match will take place on the indoor courts at the George M. Billingsley Tennis Center, located at 1503 Nettleship Street, Fayetteville, AR 72701. Free pizza will be available to fans as supplies lasts.
LAST TIME OUT:
The University of Arkansas men’s tennis team was defeated by No. 16 Vanderbilt 4-0 in its Southeastern Conference opener at the Dills Indoor Tennis Center in Fayetteville on Friday.
Vanderbilt took control early, winning its first doubles match in the No. 3 position 6-3. Competing in the No. 1 spot, Razorback junior Santiago Munoz and freshman Branch Terrell played a close match with the No.1-ranked doubles team in the nation of Gonzales Austin and Rhys Johnson, but ultimately lost 7-5.
Despite Arkansas being unable to come up with a singles win on the day, senior Jovan Parlic played a tight first set with Johnson. Playing in the No. 2 spot, Parlic pushed Johnson to a tiebreak but eventually fell 7-6 (9-7). Johnson led Parlic 3-1 when play was called. Sophomore Johan den Toom also fought through a close first set, losing to Kris Yee 7-5 in the No. 3 position. It looked like den Toom had a chance at a third set as he led Yee 4-3 when play was concluded.
QUICK HITS:
– The Razorbacks look to collect their first SEC win since defeating LSU 4-1 in Fayetteville on April 12, 2014.
– Playing primarily in the No. 6 spot, freshman David Herrerias has won six consecutive singles matches. The Castro Urdiales, Spain native’s 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 win over SMU’s Charles Nettlefold proved key in the Razorbacks’ Feb. 21 victory against the Mustangs and his 8-2 dual record is the best on the team.
– After struggling in the beginning of dual play, junior Giammarco Micolani has won five of his last six matches in the No. 1 position. Most notably, Micolani defeated then-No. 98 ranked Jakob Sude (now 92) of Oklahoma State 6-4, 6-7 (4), 10-8 on Feb. 8.
A LOOK AT ALABAMA (8-8, 0-1 SEC):
Alabama men’s tennis comes off of 6-1 weekend at home. The Crimson Tide faced their first SEC opponent in Mississippi State on Friday. Winning the No. 2 and 3 doubles courts, the Bulldogs claimed the doubles point. From there, momentum stayed on Mississippi State’s side as the Bulldogs defeated Alabama 4-0. On Sunday, the Crimson Tide played an all-day split-squad doubleheader against Jackson State and Jacksonville State. Alabama began the day with four 4-0 victories over Jackson State, before earning a pair of wins vs. Jacksonville State to conclude the day.
The Crimson Tide currently has one ranked doubles team. Korey Lovett and Becker O’Shaughnessey, who came in at No. 26 in the ITA rankings released on Tuesday, own a 5-2 record and are on a two match win streak.
LIVE STATS:
Follow Thursday’s action HERE.
For more information on Arkansas men’s tennis, follow @RazorbackMTEN on Twitter.
