LAST TIME OUT
Â
Last week, UT Tyler began their rigorous Lone Star Conference schedule with matchups against Western New Mexico and UT Permian Basin. Both sides of the program took down the Mustangs in a flurry, with the women winning 7-0 and the men winning 6-1. On Sunday however, the Falcons had the Patriots number, taking both sides of the matches and sweeping the Patriots to force them back to 1-1 on the year.
Â
NATIONAL ATTENTION
Â
This week, UT Tyler men's tennis slipped down to #20 in the ITA Rankings, their lowest of the season. This is just the first time all season that the Patriots are ranked lower than 13
th.
Â
The Patriots are led in singles by
Joaquin Bianchi and
Egor Shestakov, as both are ranked in the latest singles rankings from the ITA. Bianchi comes in at #19, while Shestakov ranks at #58.
Â
Shestakov isn't only ranked in singles, but is also ranked in doubles as he pairs with
Daniil Felker. The combo is the #32 ranked doubles team in the ITA rankings and have the third most wins in Division II.
Â
On the women's side,
Muskan Gupta has been the unquestioned leader, and she ranks #12 in the ITA singles rankings after a phenomenal start. She also is ranked in doubles, as her and teammate
Allison Schwartz have combined to create the #27 ranked doubles pair.
Â
THIS WEEK'S ACTION
Â
The Patriots will hit the road yet again this week as they take on St. Mary's. On the men's side, the Rattlers are 2-6 and have started 0-2 in LSC competition this season.
Â
Leading the team in singles has been senior Oskar Irdoja, who was posted a 6-2 record over the season and is riding a two game winning streak. In doubles, Irdoja combines with Jake Faryniarz to be 3-2 on the year and the teams top doubles pair.
Â
Over on the women's side, the Rattlers are ranked #37 in the ITA Rankings and are 7-4 on the year. They are 1-1 in LSC play with a win over #19 Lubbock Christian and a loss to #5 Midwestern State.
Â
Stella Sifuentes has been the top player for the Rattlers so far, posting a team best seven wins to just three losses. She has lost her last two after winning her previous seven. In doubles, it is Selina Wu and Karen Kondo who lead the pay, posting a dominant 9-1 record in the #1 line all season.
Â