The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Men's Tennis Team Begins Play At Boise State Tourney
3/23/2012 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
March 22, 2012
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ----- The UAB men's tennis team, winners of four straight matches for the second time this season, will be back in action Friday as the Blazers begin play at the Boise State Spring Break Classic in Boise, Idaho.
UAB, 11-3 in duals and listed No. 73 this week in the ITA (Intercollegiate Tennis Association) rankings, will be joined in the eight-team field this weekend by No. 38-ranked and host Boise State, Ball State, Marquette, Southern Miss, Idaho, Nevada and Utah.
The Blazers' first match in the tournament will be Friday at 10 a.m. MT when UAB takes on the Utes of Utah. The Utes are 9-4 this season and will be playing their first match since a 6-1 victory over Air Force on March 12.
"We're expecting a very tough match against Utah," Blazers' head coach Derek Tarr said. "They are a quality team and really, I'm surprised they're not ranked. They lost to a really good Boise State team, 4-3. We're playing pretty well right now, so it should be a good match."
One of the reasons for UAB's success this season has been the Blazers' play in doubles. "I think the guys have bought in and are realizing how important the doubles point can be. I'm not sure that was the case last year. And I think they're playing (doubles) with more confidence, too."
The winner of the UAB/Utah match will meet the Idaho/Nevada winner later in the day Friday (scheduled for 2 p.m. MT).
The Blazers played Nevada earlier this week, defeating the Wolfpack, 5-2, on Tuesday in Boise. UAB also beat Utah State on the trip (7-0) on Wednesday.
The championship match in the Boise State Spring Break Classic is scheduled for Saturday at 1:30 p.m. MT.
