The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Men's Tennis Team Begins Challenging Week of Play
4/10/2012 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
April 9, 2012
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ----- A stretch of four dual matches in six days is demanding for any tennis team, but throw in that all four matches are against ITA ranked opponents and the schedule becomes considerably more demanding.
That's the slate that the UAB men face this week as they put their own national ranking on the line.
The No. 59-ranked Blazers (16-4, 3-1 Conference USA) will begin their arduous stretch on Tuesday when they travel to Murfreesboro, Tenn. to meet the No. 56 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (14-6). The match against Middle Tennessee will start at 1:00 p.m. CT. The Blue Raiders enter the match winners of six consecutive duals.
UAB will return home and face a quick turnaround as it plays host to No. 71-ranked Alabama on Wednesday (1 p.m.) at George Ward Park. The Crimson Tide (8-13) is expected to make a jump in the rankings when they are released after coming off a 6-1 victory over No. 19-ranked Tennessee last Sunday. The Tide also downed Memphis a week ago, 4-3.
Two days later on Friday, the Blazers will welcome No. 63 South Alabama (14-5) for a 4:00 p.m. dual match. The challenging week culminates on Sunday, April 15 when C-USA foe and 31st-ranked Memphis (15-4) visits George Ward for a noon match.
Here is quick look at UAB and each team the Blazers will face this week:
UAB
Record: 16-4
ITA Rank: 59
Last Match: Def. Southern Miss, 5-2 (4/1/12)
Tuesday, April 10, 1:00 p.m.
UAB at Middle Tennessee
Middle Tennessee Record: 14-6
ITA Rank: 56
Last Match: Def. Southern Miss, 4-3 (4/6/12)
Wednesday, April 11, 1:00 p.m.
UAB vs. Alabama (George Ward Park)
Alabama Record: 8-13
ITA Rank: 71
Last Match: Def. No. 19 Tennessee, 6-1 (4/8/12)
Friday, April 13, 4:00 p.m.
UAB vs. South Alabama (George Ward Park)
South Alabama Record: 14-5
ITA Rank: 63
Last Match: Def. Troy, 7-0 (4/5/12)
Sunday, April 15, 12:00 p.m.
UAB vs. Memphis (George Ward Park)
Memphis Record: 15-4
ITA Rank: 31
Last Match: Lost to Alabama, 4-3 (4/4/12)
