CLARKSVILLE, Tenn.. – Austin Peay State University men and women's tennis teams have a big weekend coming in Ohio Valley Conference play, hosting Eastern Kentucky in a 1 p.m., Friday match, followed by Morehead State in a 2:30 p.m., Saturday affair.
“We are really looking forward to the heart of conference play,” said head coach Malik Tabet. “I think the guys are ready to get back on the court and the women are hungry to meet some new challenges. The girls are getting more confident every day and they are just really looking forward to these matches.
“I'm interested to see how our men's team responds to these matches. We're a young team so I'm looking to see how they will compete and if they can do what they need to do.”
It will be the first match in 10 days for the Govs (3-3; 0-2 OVC), who last played March 23, picking up a 4-3 win at Lipscomb. Austin Peay will be looking for improved play at the top of the lineup from freshmen Sean Bailey at No. 1 and Henrique Norbiato at No. 2. That pair also teams at No. 1 doubles, where they are 4-2 overall.
Senior Leonardo Locatelli will likely return to No. 3 singles after a three-set loss playing No. 2 at Lipscomb. Sophomore Renan Bezerra and freshmen Amar Subasic and John Storie are a combined 4-12 at Nos. 4-6.
The Lady Govs are coming off an outstanding week that saw sophomore Vanja Tomic win OVC Player of the Week. Tomic led Austin Peay to wins against UT Martin – the first since 1992 – and Southeast Missouri, helping the Lady Govs reach double-digit wins for the first time since 2001. Tomic has thrived at No. 1 singles, while freshman Carolin Weikard and senior Mariana Pagan have each found success at Nos. 2 and 3, respectively. Pagan has won nine of her last 10, while Weikard has won five straight.
The Eastern Kentucky men's team is 12-8 overall this year, but the Colonels have struggled to a 1-7 road record. Alex Das, who plays No. 1 singles was recently named OVC co-Player of the Week. Das went 5-0 last week, including league wins over Morehead State and Tennessee Tech. The Colonels are the OVC's only undefeated men's team.
The Lady Colonels are 10-12 on the year, but hold a strong 5-1 record in the OVC. A Tuesday loss to Morehead State, 4-3, knocked EKU out of first place. Anouk Faure and Anais Hamel have each won four straight matches, at Nos. 3 and 4, respectively.
Morehead State's men (9-6; 3-1 OVC) are coming off a shutout loss at Eastern Kentucky and will be fresh when they visit the Govs, Saturday. Like EKU, the Eagles are undefeated at home, but have a 1-6 road record.
The Lady Eagles are 8-10 this season and stand in first place in the OVC with a 5-0 conference record. Morehead State has won six straight matches, including four straight at home. However, they wrap up OVC play with three of its last four matches on the road, including a 3 p.m., Friday, match at UT Martin.
-AP-
