Razorbacks open home SEC play

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The No. 42 University of Arkansas men's tennis team will open home conference play this weekend when it hosts No. 31 Alabama on Friday at 1:30 p.m. and No. 37 Auburn on Sunday at 1 p.m.

"We need to come out strong this weekend," head coach Robert Cox said. "No matter who we play in the Southeastern Conference we need to come out and play our best."

Arkansas is coming off the first weekend of conference play where it dropped a close match at No. 6 Kentucky. At Kentucky, the Razorbacks proved they are going to be a force to be reckoned with this season in conference play. Juniors Manfred Jeske and Mike Nott took down the No. 19 doubles team of Tom Jomby and Kevin Lai. In singles play, Jeske forced a third set with No. 18 Jomby. Nott, along with sophomore Victor Hoang, collected strong singles victories in Lexington.

The Razorbacks also dropped a tough match at No. 19 Vanderbilt last Sunday. Senior Mike Ward was the highlight of the match for the Hogs, taking a three-set win on court three and giving Arkansas its lone point of the match.

The Crimson Tide is entering this weekend with an overall record of 9-5 and 0-2 in SEC play. Alabama opened SEC play at home last weekend where it dropped two close matches to No.9 Ole Miss 4-3 and No. 11 Mississippi State 4-2.

Auburn, like Alabama, gave Ole Miss and Mississippi State competitive matches but fell 4-3 to both the Rebels and the Bulldogs. Auburn has an overall record of 8-5.

"Both Alabama and Auburn went 0-2 last weekend like us," Coach Cox said. "We need to take advantage being able to play on our home courts and come out with some victories this weekend."

There will be free pizza available for all fans after doubles play. There will be live stats and a live blog available on ArkansasRazorbacks.com. For more information on Arkansas men's tennis follow @RazorbackMTEN on Twitter.