SLC TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP STARTS FRIDAY IN SAN ANTONIO
4/19/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
April 19, 2007
ARLINGTON, Texas - UT Arlington men's tennis will head into the 2007 Southland Conference Tournament as the second seed after finishing the regular season, 5-1, in league play. The Mavs will look to defend their SLC Title from last season and capture their seventh tournament championship.
UTA earned a bye into Saturday's 1:30 p.m. semifinal match, where they will await the winner of Friday's match between No. 3 UTSA (10-10, 4-2 SLC) and No. 6 Texas Pan American (6-15, 1-5 SLC). The Mavs defeated the Roadrunners 4-3 and the Broncos 6-1 earlier this season.
Junior transfer Dmitry Minkin led UTA on the season with a 17-5 overall record and went undefeated in conference action in the No. 5 slot. Minkin teamed up with Alberto Agis in doubles competition for a perfect 5-0 record in league play.
As the No. 6 single, freshman Gonzalo Bienzobas put together a strong rookie campaign posting a 14-8 overall record and a 5-1 record in SLC matches.
UTA will be playing for the opportunity to advance to the championship match at 2:30 on Sunday. The winner of the SLC Tournament will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
UT Arlington women's tennis will be the No. 3 seed at the 2007 Southland Conference Tournament, which begins Friday in San Antonio. The Mavs will open up the tournament at 9:30 a.m. when they face sixth seeded UTSA.
The Mavs will be looking for their fifth overall tournament title and revenge for the past two seasons when they fell to Southeastern Louisiana in the championship match. The Lady Lions (19-2, 10-0 SLC) will be the top seed after finishing the regular season undefeated in league play for the second straight season.
Senior Daniela Novakova led UTA this season with a 15-1 overall record and a 9-1 record in league play. Novakova's only loss of the season came in the Mavs final match of the season to Southeastern Louisiana.
With a 14-2 overall record and a 9-1 finish in SLC play, freshman Sofya Lifanova put together a strong rookie campaign.
UTA finished the regular season 13-3 overall and 8-2 in league action while the Roadrunners went 12-8 and 6-5. The Mavs swept UTSA, 7-0, when the two teams met earlier this season. The winner of Friday's match will advance to the semifinals to face second seeded Sam Houston State (12-4, 9-2).
