TYLER, TEXAS – UT Tyler tennis will have one final battle this weekend against St. Mary's before all eyes go forward to the LSC postseason tournament that is set to begin April 28 and run until May 1.
 
LOOKING TO CLOSE OUT STRONG
 
On the men's side, UT Tyler is 5-1 in LSC competition this season with their only loss coming against Midwestern State back on April 10. That was also the most recent competition for the Patriots as they had a week off while the ladies played against two programs that do not have a men's team.
 
For the ladies, they sit at an even 4-4 on the year in LSC play. That will put them in a tie for fifth place currently but still keeps them well inside the top eight that will qualify for the LSC postseason tournament.
 
SERIES HISTORY
 
The men's program has faced off against the Rattlers just one time in their program's history. That matchup came just last March as the Patriots went on the road and knocked off St. Mary's by a score of 5-2. This will be the first time the two teams have played in Tyler.
 
As for the Patriots women, they have faced off against St. Mary's twice in their history. The most recent match came last year in March. That match saw the Rattlers come away with a 7-0 victory. The first series matchup between the schools came all the way back in 2007 as the Patriots took a 7-2 win over St. Mary's.
 
THE SCOUTING REPORT
 
On the men's side, St. Mary's is 16-4 on the season and is 4-2 in LSC play. On their home courts, the Rattlers are 7-2 and are most recently coming off of wins over DBU and Our Lady of the Lake.
 
Oskar Irdoja leads the way for the Rattlers in singles, holding a 15-3 record overall and a 5-1 record in LSC competition. In doubles, Nicolas Llosa and Niklas Knoerr lead the way at 12-2 overall and 4-2 in LSC play.
 
On the women's side, St. Mary's holds a record of 16-3 on the year and is 7-1 in LSC play. On their home courts, the ladies are 10-1 and are in the midst of a five game winning streak that includes wins over four LSC opponents.
 
Ashley Penshorn leads the way in singles with a 15-3 overall record and a 7-1 record in LSC play. Following her lead, the pair of Gabi Ioannou and Marina Vigil have been nearly as strong, combining for a 10-3 record overall and a 5-2 record in LSC competition.
 
Bill Macom holds the reigns as Director of Tennis at St. Mary's. Macom previously served as the head coach at Florida Tech before making his way to St. Mary's in the summer of 2019. Under his supervision, the men's program made an appearance in the NCAA South Central Regional and the women's team made it all the way to the NCAA Quarterfinals in the spring of 2021.
 
THE LONE STAR CONFERENCE
 
Midwestern State has taken over the top spot in the men's standings after their most recent victory over UT Tyler. UT Tyler holds on to number two while St. Mary's and Cameron are tied for third place. UAFS sits at 3-3 and rounds out the top five.
 
On the women's side, it is a three way tie at the top as St. Mary's, Cameron, and Angelo State are all 7-1 on the year. Midwestern State is 5-3, and UT Tyler and Texas A&M-Kingsville sit in a tie for fifth at 4-4.
 
ON THE HORIZON
 
Following this weekend's match against St. Mary's, both programs will prepare for the LSC Tennis Championships to be held at Arlington Tennis Center in Arlington, Texas from April 28-May 1.
 
The format for the postseason tournament will see the top eight teams in the LSC standings qualify. Those eight teams will play a single elimination tournament to determine the tournament champions.