Hog Netters Set to Open Season at Regional Playoff

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas opens the 2007 spring season Saturday at the ITA Central Region Team Indoor Playoff at the Michael D. Case Tennis Center in Tulsa, Okla.

The Razorbacks, who won the Central Region Playoff a year ago, are seeded third in the single-elimination tournament. Arkansas faces the Illinois St. Redbirds in the opening round. Despite playing in the same region, this is the first time the Hogs and Redbirds have ever met on the tennis courts.

Several Razorbacks will be making their dual-match debuts. Aside from Blake Strode and Colin Mascall, the Razorback lineup is unsettled, and Coach Robert Cox said a number of players could get an opportunity.

“You will see many new faces in our line-up,” Cox said, “Blake Strode and Colin Mascall are the only two starters returning to lead us.

“The other four starting positions are up for grabs.”

16th-ranked Oklahoma St. is the event’s top seed, followed by 27th-ranked Tulsa as the No. 2 seed, then Arkansas.

If the Razorbacks win their opening match, they will advance to play Saturday at 7 p.m. All action will take place at the Case Tennis Center on the University of Tulsa campus. All matches can be watched via live streaming. Visit http://www.jonsanjuan.com/tulsatennis.htm to view all matches live from Tulsa.