Lady Razorbacks host No. 29 Auburn in SEC West opener

FAYETTEVILLE— A Southeastern Conference match-up between two top 30 tennis teams will take place at the Billingsley Tennis Center on Friday when the University of Arkansas Lady Razorbacks take on the Lady Tigers from Auburn at 12:00 p.m.

“We feel prepared for SEC play because of our extremely tough non-conference schedule,” said Lady Razorback head coach Michael Hegarty.

Arkansas, currently ranked No. 26 by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association, is

7-4 heading into their first SEC match on Friday. Auburn is presently sitting at No. 29 in the standings, returning all starters from the 2007 SEC Western Division Championship team.

“I believe our team is much improved from last season, but with Auburn returning all starters this will be a good check point to see how each team has gotten better,” Hegarty said.

The Lady’Backs sport veterans as well as fresh talent in singles headlined by 2nd-ranked Aurelija Miseviciute, who is on an eight-match win streak, and 61st-ranked Anouk Tigu.

Doubles has been the ignition for an Arkansas team which supports a 20-9 overall record in doubles, including consecutive sweeps against Louisiana-Lafayette and No. 40 Tulsa. The Lady’Backs have two ranked duos in No. 23 Miseviciute and Ela Kaluder as well as No. 59 Maryori Franco and Nanar Airapetian.

In the preseason, Arkansas was selected as the team to beat in the Western Division by the coaches.

Auburn’s record stands at 8-2, with no wins over a ranked opponent.

With projected temperatures at game-time to be in the mid-50s, action will be held at the recently renovated outdoor courts.

For live stats from tomorrow’s match as well as results and information on Lady’Back tennis stay tuned to LADYBACKS.COM.