The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Weekend Matches For Men's Tennis Team Called Off
2/4/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
Feb. 4, 2011
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ----- For the second time this week, the UAB men's tennis team has seen what was supposed to be its season-opening dual match postponed because of inclement weather.
The Blazers were scheduled to travel to Tulsa, Okla. this weekend to play at No. 35-rankd Tulsa on Friday and follow that with a match against 55th-ranked Oklahoma State on Saturday. However, inclement weather in Tulsa has forced Golden Hurricane officials to halt plans for several of their weekend events, including the tennis matches.
This announcement comes after UAB had its Tuesday home match against North Alabama postponed, also for bad weather.
"Obviously, we've been disappointed (with the changes to the schedule)," said Blazers' head coach Derek Tarr. "We had hoped to open earlier in the week, and then when that match was postponed, our guys were getting excited about the trip and opening the season against a quality opponent like Tulsa.
"It's definitely been frustrating for us after looking forward to going to Tulsa to play matches against two very good teams."
Tarr was able to reschedule the match against Tulsa but not Oklahoma State. The Blazers will now play at Tulsa on Friday, Feb. 18 (6 p.m.) and instead of playing the Cowboys, they will now play against Oral Roberts on Saturday, Feb. 19 (11 a.m.).
The North Alabama match has yet to be rescheduled, but Tarr is optimistic the two teams will be able to work out a date to play.
The Blazers are looking to the 2011 season with a lot of anticipation as Tarr feels his team has more depth than it's had on its roster in awhile. "We definitely feel that our depth will be a strength this season," Tarr said. "We think we have at least eight guys who will compete to play in the top six in our lineup. And because of that, we feel we have some good doubles teams as well."
Unless UAB is able to reschedule North Alabama for a match next week, the Blazers' opener now will be Saturday, Feb. 12 when they play host to UNC Asheville at the Lakeshore Tennis Center. The match is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m.
