Lady'Backs Host Weekend Plethora of Matches

The University of Arkansas women’s tennis team defends their 5-0 record and 3-0 home winning streak against four teams this weekend, beginning with Southwest Missouri State Friday at the Dills Indoor Tennis Center at 5:00 p.m. After last weekend’s pair of wins over Tulsa and Oklahoma State, the Lady Razorbacks moved up the Intercollegiate Tennis Rankings to 53rd, their highest national ranking since March 2003. All-time, the Lady’Backs are an unmatched 26-0 against the Lady Bears. Last year, Arkansas defeated SMS handily in Fayetteville, 6-1. All returning Lady’Backs from the 2004 spring season contributed wins to the overall victory. Two Lady’Backs remain undefeated in singles entering the weekend. Junior Karina Ledaja and freshman Maryori Franco are 5-0 in singles, with each leading the team in wins and winning percentage, respectively. In doubles, one Lady’Back duo remains spotless after capturing a couple of well-earned wins against Tulsa and Oklahoma State. Juniors Vlatka Jovanovic and Melissa Cornett are 4-0 entering this weekend. After Friday’s match against SMS, the Lady’Backs welcome three more teams to Fayetteville. Arkansas faces Kansas State for the first time since 1994 at 11 a.m., then returns to the courts on Sunday for an afternoon doubleheader against North Texas at 11:00 a.m. and Abilene Christian at 4:00 p.m. “We are looking forward to an exciting, while productive, weekend of tennis,” said head coach Michael Hegarty. “This many matches in such a short period of time will be a test of our conditioning and mental stamina.” Admission is free. Live stats are available at ladybacks.com by following the live link. For more information about Lady Razorback tennis or about Arkansas women’s athletics, please go to www.ladybacks.com.