14th-ranked women still lead SEC West

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Southeastern Conference Western Division leading University of Arkansas Razorback women’s tennis team will hit the road in Mississippi to face No. 67 Mississippi State on Friday and No. 28 Ole Miss on Sunday.The 14th-ranked Razorbacks (10-6, 5-3) jumped up one spot in the ITA Rankings this week, while they have a match and half lead in the SEC West with only three matches left in conference action.Head coach Michael Hegarty is in prime position to lead the Hogs to not only back-to-back SEC West titles, but their second in program history.“This weekend will be another hard-fought SEC road trip for us,” said Hegarty. “Our goal is to simply keep improving and get better each match as we head toward the most important part of the season.”Being in the Top 16 of the ITA Rankings Arkansas is in the same position they were in 2008, looking to host the first and second rounds of the NCAA Regional. Senior Aurelija Miseviciute sits at No. 5 in singles and sophomore Anouk Tigu is at No. 71. In doubles, the Hogs have Nanar Airapetian and Tigu at No. 29 while Miseviciute and Ela Kaluder are No. 62.Mississippi State (9-7, 0-7) will looki for their first win in SEC play Friday at 11 a.m. after being dropped by their first seven opponents. The Lady Bulldogs have no players ranked in singles or doubles.The Rebels (10-7, 3-5) boast a 6-1 record at home this season, and have two singles players in the Top 80 with Kristi Boxx (29) and Karen Nijssen (80). The tandem of Boxx and Nijssen are also ranked No. 45 in doubles. Sunday’s match will begin at 1 p.m.Be sure and visit ARKANSASRAZORBACKS.COM as the Hogs close in on clinching the Western Division title.