RECAPING OPENING WEEKEND
 
The UT Tyler men got their 2023 dual match season off to a splendid start as they took down #15 Northwest Missouri State in a neutral site match back on February 11. In that contest, the Patriots got big contributions from several key returners as they came back from dropping the doubles point to win the match.
 
For the UT Tyler women, they faced off against #9 Central Oklahoma and those same Bearcats and unfortunately started off the season 0-2. However, in those two matches, the Patriots had plenty of bright spots as they hung tough in both doubles portions and forced several tiebreakers in singles.
 
TOUGH COMPETITION
 
With the win over #15 Northwest Missouri State, that is now the best win for the UT Tyler men in the Division II era. The competition won't get any easier, as they take on #14 Ouachita Baptist and #21 Southern Arkansas to close out the three match stretch. As of the most current ITA Rankings, the Patriots will play three more opponents that are in the receiving votes category, including two teams in LSC play.
 
For the Patriots women, they kick off the three match road trip with a tough matchup against RV Harding. They will also face another team receiving votes next weekend, and will see six more teams associated with the ITA Rankings over the rest of their season with four of those teams being LSC teams.
 
WHAT COACH BIZOT HAS TO SAY
 
On the opening weekend: "I was pretty pleased with the level of play. We are trying to figure out our pairings on the women's side and I'm pretty confident with eight healthy players we can easily compete with those teams. On the men's side it was super close in doubles but I think we can clean up a few things and get a little bit more aggressive and just win the big points. A lot to be proud of as far as the level of tennis."
 
On the tough non-conference slate: It's making sure we are seeing the highest level teams that we can compete against, certainly geography plays a role in can we get some home matches. We want to play the best possible schedule we can play while at the same time preparing us for the conference."
 
On who looked great on opening weekend: On the men's side I thought Carel Wessel our new freshman played great. He got us on the board early after a tough doubles match. One of the keys I think to beating these types of teams is momentum. I thought Jordi Garcia Portell played well and lost a tough battle but I couldn't be happier about how he played. Allison Schwartz on the women's side struggled in the exhibitions but this weekend she started to find herself and became really comfortable and she played great performances. We are talking about all freshman right now which is great and I am excited and looking forward to seeing their progression throughout the season."
 
THE SCOUTING REPORT
 
The first matchup of the weekend comes tomorrow as both teams square off with Harding. Harding's men come in at 1-1 while their women are at 2-4. For the men, Harding have yet to drop a doubles match, and are led by a pair of 2-0 teams. In singles, it has been a mixed bag, but Bryce Walker sits with the best record of 2-0. On the women's side, Lina Romero and Jing Yang are 4-2 on the young season, and they also lead the way in singles at 3-3.
 
Sunday will see the Patriots take on Ouachita Baptist as their men's team is ranked #14 in the ITA Rankings. They are 2-0 on the young season and are led by Phil Exner and Alex Blanchar in the number one and two singles slots. Those two have paired up to a 1-1 record in doubles thus far. For the women's team at Ouachita Baptist, they are 2-1 with wins over Hendrix and Ozarks. They are led by the doubles pair of Natalia Zamora Caprirolo and Shelly Davilus, and in singles it is Austynn Crocker and Ali May.
 
The final match of the weekend trip sees the Patriots head to Southern Arkansas. Their men's team is currently ranked #21 and are 1-1 so far this year. In doubles, the Muleriders are led by Ben Schneider and Sander Jans who are 2-0 thus far. In singles it has been Ole Valkyser who sits at 2-0 through two matches. On the women's side, they are currently 2-2 with wins over Delta State and Henderson State. They are led in doubles by Lena Milosevic and Annika Berrendorf and in singles by Sarah Roy.
 
NEXT UP
 
Following this weekend's slate of three matches in four days, the Patriots will get a short break before heading back on the road for a pair of matchups against Southeastern Oklahoma State and Newman. Both of those matches will take place in Durant, Oklahoma on February 24^th and 25^th.