April 27, 2006
Contact: Carlos Valdez (210) 458-4930
UTSA heads to Southland Conference Tennis Tournament
SLC Tournament Bracket
SAN ANTONIO - The UTSA men's and women’s tennis teams will compete at the Southland Conference Tournament on Friday-Sunday, April 28-30, at the UTA Tennis Center in Arlington, Texas.
The women’s team makes a return to the conference tournament after a one year absence. Head coach Brenda Niemeyer has guided her team to the SLC finals five out of the last seven years with a conference championship in 2002. The Roadrunners enter the tournament as the No. 5 seed and will meet No. 4 seed Sam Houston State in the first round on Friday at 9 a.m. The Roadrunners defeated the Bearkats, 5-2, back on March 25 at the UTSA Tennis Center. UTSA closed out the regular season with a 10-9 overall record, while finishing 6-4 in SLC play. The winner of this match advances to the semifinals, were they will face the top seed Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday at 9 a.m.
“This was a close regular season, with four teams finishing 6-4,” Niemeyer said. “We have a young team going into the conference tournament, but I have confidence in them. They have improved a great deal and have yet to play to their potential. As a team we have gotten stronger.”
The men’s team, which reached the conference finals a year ago, enters the SLC tournament as the No 4 seed. The Roadrunners have advanced to the finals four out of the last five seasons, including capturing the title in 2002. UTSA capped off the season with a 7-11 overall record and finished in fifth place in the league with a 3-3 mark. The Runners will square off against No. 5 seed Nicholls State on Friday at 11:30 p.m. UTSA handled Nicholls, 5-2, on Feb. 19 in Lafayette, La. The winner of the match will move on the semifinals and meet top seed Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Saturday at 11:30 a.m.
“This is the second time in my seven years that we were seeded this low going into the conference tournament.” said head coach Oliver Trittenwein. “I believe that this team is stronger and focused because of our senior leadership we have. Our four seniors are going to be the key for us to make a run at the championship.”