Razorback tennis set to begin SEC play
Jimmy Carter
Issue date: 3/6/09 Section: Sports
Both Arkansas' men's and women's tennis teams are set to wage war against the Alabama schools as they jump into Southeastern Conference action this weekend.
The men are set to host Alabama on Friday and Auburn on Sunday, while the women travel to Alabama to face the Crimson Tide and Tigers on Friday and Sunday, respectively.
Wins over No. 20 Alabama and No. 26 Auburn would go a long way towards propelling the men's team to a good season in conference play. Coach Robert Cox said the weekend will be a good measuring stick for his 56th-ranked Hogs.
"Auburn and Alabama both have very good nonconference wins," Cox said. "If we can play well and get by these guys we're definitely going to be top 20 in the country and we've earned it just with those two wins."
Senior Blake Strode said the team has benefited from a tough non-conference that featured four matches against ranked opponents - including two top 10 foes in Wisconsin and Texas.
The Hogs have been competitive against top competition despite a 1-3 record against ranked teams this season, with the lone win coming against Oklahoma.
"We have definitely had a lot of good matches to prepare (for conference play)," Strode said. "We're ready to go."
Strode said that beginning conference play is something the team looks forward to every season.
"Every time you step into SEC play it's like stepping up a level because the SEC is probably the toughest tennis conference in the country," Strode said.
The Hogs will play their first two SEC matches without junior Taylor King who remains sidelined by the flu. King returned to practice this week, but Cox said he won't be ready for the opening weekend.
The women's team is healthy and ready to defend their 2008 SEC Western Division crown. The Razorbacks fell 11 spots in the polls after losing to SMU and are now ranked No. 28 in the country but coach Michael Hegarty said the veteran team is poised for another title run.
The men are set to host Alabama on Friday and Auburn on Sunday, while the women travel to Alabama to face the Crimson Tide and Tigers on Friday and Sunday, respectively.
Wins over No. 20 Alabama and No. 26 Auburn would go a long way towards propelling the men's team to a good season in conference play. Coach Robert Cox said the weekend will be a good measuring stick for his 56th-ranked Hogs.
"Auburn and Alabama both have very good nonconference wins," Cox said. "If we can play well and get by these guys we're definitely going to be top 20 in the country and we've earned it just with those two wins."
Senior Blake Strode said the team has benefited from a tough non-conference that featured four matches against ranked opponents - including two top 10 foes in Wisconsin and Texas.
The Hogs have been competitive against top competition despite a 1-3 record against ranked teams this season, with the lone win coming against Oklahoma.
"We have definitely had a lot of good matches to prepare (for conference play)," Strode said. "We're ready to go."
Strode said that beginning conference play is something the team looks forward to every season.
"Every time you step into SEC play it's like stepping up a level because the SEC is probably the toughest tennis conference in the country," Strode said.
The Hogs will play their first two SEC matches without junior Taylor King who remains sidelined by the flu. King returned to practice this week, but Cox said he won't be ready for the opening weekend.
The women's team is healthy and ready to defend their 2008 SEC Western Division crown. The Razorbacks fell 11 spots in the polls after losing to SMU and are now ranked No. 28 in the country but coach Michael Hegarty said the veteran team is poised for another title run.
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