TYLER, TEXAS – The UT Tyler men's and women's tennis programs will head to Dallas and Wichita Falls, Texas for a pair of matches against DBU and Midwestern State in what could turn out to be a critical sequence for both programs.
 
A HOT START
 
On the men's side, the Patriots have jumped up to #30 in the latest ITA rankings and have begun their LSC title defense with a 4-0 record through the first two weekends of LSC play. They started their conference slate with a win over #25 Cameron and have followed it up with big wins over UAFS, Western New Mexico, and UT Permian Basin.
 
For the ladies, they have begun their quest for an LSC title with a 3-1 start in conference play. After a narrow 4-3 defeat to #5 Cameron, the Patriots have responded with three consectutive wins over UAFS, Western New Mexico, and UT Permian Basin.
 
SERIES HISTORY
 
For the UT Tyler men, they are 2-0 all time against DBU after wins in 2021 and 2019. The ladies sit at 0-3 against the Patriots and most recently met back in 2019. For both programs this will be the first meeting ever to take place on the road in Dallas, Texas.
 
Midwestern State shows a different story for the Patriots men. The two programs have met six times overall, and the Mustangs hold a 5-1 advantage. However, UT Tyler took a 5-2 victory over Midwestern State in the season finale to secure their first LSC regular season title at the end of the 2021 season.
 
As for the women's program, the Patriots are 0-4 all-time against the Mustangs. Last season the two teams battled tightly, but Midwestern State just edged out UT Tyler by a score of 4-3.
 
THE SCOUTING REPORT
 
The DBU men's program Is currently at 8-10 on the season and are 0-4 in LSC play. They have also played Cameron, UAFS, UT Permian Basin and Western New Mexico but have yet to come away with a victory.
 
Gabe Garrido leads the way in singles for DBU as he is 11-5 overall and 2-0 in conference play. In doubles, the combination of Aaron Capone and Ricardo Carvajalino holds a 6-5 overall record but are 0-2 in LSC competition.
 
For the ladies at DBU, they are 13-8 overall on the year and sit at an even 3-3 in LSC competition. The Patriots have victories over UAFS, UT Permian Basin, and Western New Mexico.
 
Five different players hold a 2-1 record in singles during LSC play. They are Adriana Carpenter, Caroline Hudson, Grace Haskins, Sofia Teran, and Ira Vogelmann.  Haskins holds the overall edge at 15-4 throughout the season. In doubles the duo of Carpenter and Teran has combined for a record of 10-6 overall and 2-1 in LSC play.
 
Wade Morgan is the head coach of both programs at DBU. He is in his fifth season overall at DBU and has coached 12 all-conference selections and most recently coached the LSC Player of the Year in Taylor Leslie.
 
Midwestern State's men's program sits at 10-5 overall this year and is 3-0 in LSC competition. The program has wins over UAFS, Western New Mexico, and UT Permian Basin.
 
Marcal Miret Avante leads the Mustangs in singles at 11-1 so far this season and an unblemished 3-0 record in conference action. In doubles, the combination of Alex Martinez Roca and Ben Westwick is 12-1 on the year and is currently ranked as the number two doubles pair in all of Division II. The duo is 3-0 in LSC competition.
 
On the women's side, the program is 16-5 on the year and is 4-1 in LSC play. The program holds victories over UAFS, Western New Mexico, UT Permian Basin, and Texas A&M-Kingsville.
 
Leading the way in singles is Emilija Visic. Visic is 14-1 on the year and is 4-1 in LSC competition thus far. In doubles, Anda Ghinga and Hannah Yip have combined to be a fearsome duo. The pair is a perfect 16-0 on the season and 5-0 in their LSC matches.
 
Scott Linn is the head coach of both programs at Midwestern State and is in his 12^th season at the helm. He has earned the LSC Coach of the Year honors seven times and has been the ITA Regional Coach of the Year four times.
 
ON THE HORIZON
 
Following this weekend's matches, the Patriots men will have a two week break before taking on St. Mary's in their season finale. That match will take place at Summers Tennis Center and will be the week prior to the LSC postseason tournament.
 
As for the women's program, they will take on Angelo State and Texas A&M-Kingsville next weekend on Thursday, April 14 and Saturday, April 16. Both of those matches will take place on the road before the Patriots return home to Summers Tennis Center to take on St. Mary's on April 23.