By Michael Freeman, Sports Writer
The tennis teams returned this week from a tough road trip against three Division I schools. The women smashed Texas Southern University 8-1, but were swept 7-0 by Rice University and Southern Methodist University. On the season, the women have a record of 24-6.
Friday, the Wildcat women traveled to Houston to face Rice and Texas Southern. In the morning, Rice beat ACU 7-0.
“We didn’t make a dent in the scoreboard,” head coach Hutton Jones said. “But if anyone were to witness the matches, they would see that our play was really competitive.”
That afternoon, the women bounced back against TSU. ACU downed Texas Southern 8-1. Jones said he was very pleased with the win against Texas Southern, a Division I team. The following day, the Wildcats took on Southern Methodist in Dallas. SMU beat ACU 7-0.
“This weekend did what it was supposed to do,” Jones said. “And, it was supposed to prepare us for the conference tournament.”
The men defeated Texas Southern 5-2, and the men’s record is 18-8.
On April 12, the men also prepared for the Lone Star Conference tournament by playing Texas Southern, a team that is undefeated in its conference. ACU downed TSU 5-2.
“The men picked up a real good win,” Jones said.
The men were scheduled to play Rice University as well, but Rice cancelled the match because its players experienced cramps.
Both Wildcat teams played Tyler Junior College and Howard Payne University on Tuesday as a final tune-up before the Lone Star Conference Championships in Wichita Falls on Thursday and Friday.
The seeding chart for the championship tournament will not be revealed until Wednesday night. Jones said he expects both ACU teams to have the No. 1 seed going into the tournament. Jones also said if the draw plays out as he anticipates, then the ACU men will face the University of Central Oklahoma, a team that defeated the Wildcats on April 8, in the second round.
“I really look forward to getting back on the court against Central Oklahoma,” Jones said. Jones also said he awaits the time when both Wildcat teams take the court this Thursday. “I think the trick for both teams is that we need to go out there this weekend like we’re holding all of the cards,” Jones said. “We’re going to have to be at our best. We’ve got to carry ourselves confidently but take it to them like we’re the underdogs.”
