Alabama Women's Tennis Hosts Two Matches This Weekend
3/4/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
 |
|
The University of Alabama women’s tennis team will play host to both the No. 27 (ITA) Ole Miss Rebels and the Mississippi State Bulldogs beginning on Friday at the UA Rec Courts.
The 45th-ranked Crimson Tide (5-4, 1-1 SEC) upset the No. 28 Tennessee Volunteers in Knoxville on Sunday. It was Alabama’s first win against Tennessee since 1997. Sophomore Robin Stephenson was also named SEC Player of the Week following her perfect weekend to open conference play. Stephenson went 4-0 in both singles and doubles, including wins over the top ranked Agata Cioroch of Georgia and the No. 27 Tammy Encina. She upset both players in singles and also defeated them in doubles with teammate Ashley Bentley.
Bama will face Ole Miss (6-4, 0-2 SEC) on Friday at 3 p.m. The Rebels won their first six matches before dropping their last four. Their top player, junior Chloe Carlotti, is ranked No. 96 in singles play. Ole Miss leads the series with the Tide 25-8, but the Tide won last year in Oxford, 5-2.
“Every weekend is important as we begin our second week of SEC competition,” said head coach Jenny Mainz. “Ole Miss is ranked No. 27 and has boasted some strong showings. They gained a sizable addition to their team when Carlotti joined their squad.”
Mississippi State (5-5, 0-2 SEC) will play at Auburn on Friday before facing the Tide on Sunday at 1 p.m. Alabama leads the series 24-9, and won last year in Starkville, 6-1.
“Mississippi State has done a great job and is back in the hunt,” Mainz said. “The key in the SEC is to realize that you have to be ready and show up for every match. It only brings out the best in all of us.”
Both matches are scheduled to be played outdoors at the UA Rec Courts. In the case of inclement weather, the action would move to the Hank Crisp Indoor Facility.
