TYLER, TEXAS – The UT Tyler tennis programs will head to Lawton, Oklahoma and Fort Smith, Arkansas for a pair of matches against LSC foes Cameron and UAFS as they will open up the conference portion of their schedule.
On Friday, the Patriots will roll in to Oklahoma to take on Cameron for a duals match that is set to begin at 10 a.m. On Saturday, the Patriots will head to Arkansas to do battle with UAFS. Match time is scheduled for 10 a.m.
THE SEASON SO FAR
Both Patriot programs have faced a tough schedule so far this season. On the men's side, they have faced four teams that are either receiving votes in the national polls or are ranked in the top 25. The men have also faced off against a pair of Division I foes in UT Arlington and SMU. The Patriots are 4-7 on the season but claimed victory in their most recent match against Auburn Montgomery.
For the Patriots women, they sit at a 6-5 record so far and have faced a similarly tough schedule. They have faced six teams that are receiving votes or nationally ranked in the top 25. Most recently, the program came away with a win against #44 Auburn Montgomery.
SERIES HISTORY
The Patriots men's program has faced off against Cameron just one time in their series history. That lone meeting came on April 3, 2021, and UT Tyler came away with a strong 5-2 victory.
It has been a similar story against UAFS, as they have met two times, and UT Tyler has come away with a victory in both matches. The first of those game in 2011 as the Patriots went on the road and took down the Lions by a score of 6-3. Last season saw the two teams meet again, and UT Tyler won in impressive fashion by a score of 7-0.
The Patriots women's program has also faced off against the Aggies just one time, with that match also taking place on April 3, 2021. UT Tyler held the upper hand, winning a close match by a score of 4-3.
Against UAFS, the women have split their all-time series at 1-1. On February 26, 2011, the Lions came away with a 7-2 victory, but in the 2021 series matchup, the Patriots won by a score of 7-0.
THE SCOUTING REPORT
Cameron's men's team sits at a record of 7-5 on the season. In singles, Thomas Cardona leads the way for the Aggies with a record of 9-2. Cardona is a winner of his last eight consecutive matches, including a pair of wins against nationally ranked opponents. In doubles, the pair of Cardona and Tomas Almeida reigns supreme at a record of 9-3. The pair have also won their last five consecutive matches.
For the Lions men's program, they are 3-3 on the year and recently started their conference slate with a loss to Midwestern State followed by a victory over DBU. Ethan Eddleman currently leads the way in singles with a record of 3-2 on the year. In doubles, the pair of Anis Ramchane and Killian Darneaux sits with a record of 4-0.
On the women's side, Cameron is ranked #6 in the latest ITA rankings and have a season record of 11-2. Anastasia Uspenskaia is 11-2 on the year in singles to lead the program and is a winner of her last nine matches, all by straight sets. In doubles, the duo of Karolina Glowinska and Vasilisa Polunova have combined to go 9-2 on the year thus far and are winners of their last four completed matches.
THE LONE STAR CONFERENCE
Just four teams on the men's side have gotten their LSC portion of the schedule underway. Both Cameron and Midwestern State hold records of 1-0. UAFS sits just behind them at a record of 1-1 and DBU holds a record of 0-2 to start the year.
For the women's side, all but three programs have yet to begin their LSC slates. Midwestern State, Cameron, Angelo State, and Texas A&M-Kingsville are all 1-0 on the season and are tied atop the standings. Just behind them is DBU at 1-1, and UT Permian Basin and UAFS are each 0-2.
ON THE HORIZON
Following this weekend's matchups against Cameron and UAFS, the Patriots will return home and host Western New Mexico and UT Permian Basin on April 1-2. On April 1, the Mustangs will head to the Summers Tennis Center for a match that is set to begin at 10 a.m. On Saturday, April 2, the Patriots will welcome the Falcons to the Summers Tennis Center for a match that is scheduled for 10 a.m.
