HOUSTON – This week, UTSA Women’s Tennis enters the postseason in search of a title. The Roadrunners head to the American Conference Championship as the No. 10 seed, first squaring off with Tulane on Thursday. With four straight victories, the ‘Runners would secure the conference crown and clinch the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
THE MATCHUP
Thursday, April 16 (1 p.m.) – No. 10-seed UTSA (9-10) vs. No. 7-seed Tulane (10-11)
George R. Brown Tennis Center (Courts 7-12) – Houston, Texas
LAST TIME OUT
On Saturday, UTSA toppled Lamar 5-1 in the regular-season finale. With the threat of rain later in the day, the two sides agreed to start with singles action. There was no doubles contest as the hosts reeled off five court victories in singles play. Three ‘Runners took their two sets while relinquishing three or fewer total games, cruising to their ninth home win of the season at 9-2.
ABOUT THE GREEN WAVE
Tulane is under the direction of Head Coach Maru Brito, who is amid her ninth season with the program. The Green Wave finished the regular season 10-11, most recently sweeping Nicholls by a 7-0 margin on Saturday. Half of their victories came away from home, highlighted by a 2-0 mark in neutral matches.
WHEN THEY LAST MET
Back on Feb. 20, UTSA and Tulane clashed in New Orleans. The ‘Runners fell in a 4-3 affair, narrowly missing out on a win over their in-conference foe. The hosts comfortably took the doubles point, but the pairing of Natalia Castaneda Guerrero and Giuliana Giardina did manage to take a late lead before singles play was cued. There, the Roadrunners took each odd-numbered court, but Tulane responded by clinching courts two, four and six. With the team doubles point already in their pocket, the Green Wave edged out a lengthy one-point victory to open their new facility.
UP NEXT
The winner between UTSA and Tulane will advance to the American Conference Quarterfinals on Friday. There, the No. 2-seed Charlotte will await the victor for a 2 p.m. CT clash in Houston. With a win in that match, the ‘Runners would find themselves two victories away from a championship entering Saturday morning.
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