TYLER, TEXAS – UT Tyler men's tennis will continue their run through the LSC tournament as they will now face Midwestern State in a battle for the LSC championship.
 
HOW WE GOT HERE
 
The Patriots came into the LSC tournament as the number two seed after going 6-1 on the season during conference play. In the quarterfinal round of the LSC tournament, the Patriots battled #7 seed UT Permian Basin and delivered a 4-0 sweep to win their first postseason match of the Division II era.
 
In the semifinal round, the Patriots faced the #3 seed in Cameron in what turned out to be a spirited battle between the two storied programs. The Patriots took the doubles point before allowing the Aggies to claim the first singles point. Both teams traded points to a 2-2 tie before UT Tyler won two consecutive matches to claim victory.
 
Midwestern State rolled into the LSC tournament with the #1 overall seed after going a perfect 7-0 during the regular season LSC slate. During the quarterfinal round, the Mustangs collected a 4-0 sweep over #8 DBU. During today's semifinals, Midwestern State took on #4 seed St. Mary's and delivered their second consecutive sweep of the tournament.
 
SERIES HISTORY
 
The Mustangs hold the all-time series advantage 6-1 over UT Tyler. Those matches have dated back to March 8, 2011. The all-time series began with Mustangs victories in the first five consecutive matchups, before UT Tyler claimed a 5-2 win last season. That first victory was crucial as the Patriots went on to claim the LSC regular season championship.
 
Earlier this season, the two teams faced off and battled to an extremely close 4-3 contest that saw the Mustangs just prevail. In that contest the Mustangs swept the doubles matches and ran out to a 3-1 lead before the Patriots came roaring back to tie the match at 3-3 before the Mustangs claimed the final point and the victory.
 
THE SCOUTING REPORT
 
Midwestern State comes into the contest as the LSC regular season champion. Alex Martinez Roca leads the way in singles and was named as the LSC Player of the Year on Wednesday. Roca is 6-1 on the LSC slate this season.
 
In doubles, it is the combination of Roca and Ben Westwick that has combined to become a fearsome duo. The pair was named to the All-LSC First Team Doubles team and are currently ranked as the #4 doubles pair in Division II.
 
Coaching the Mustangs will be Scott Linn. Linn is in his 12^th season as head coach of Midwestern State and has collected four ITA Regional Coach of the Year awards. Most recently under his leadership, the Mustangs advanced to the 2019 NCAA Quarterfinals.
 
WHATS AT STAKE
 
Tomorrow's match for UT Tyler will mark their first opportunity to collect their first LSC tournament championship in just their first year of eligibility. The winner of the match will earn the conference's automatic bid into the NCAA South Central Regional Championship. Just four teams will advance into that regional to be hosted at the number one seed's host site.