TN: Men, women clash with Jags in SBC quarters
4/19/2018 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
ARLINGTON, Texas - Looking to make a run to a Sun Belt title, UT Arlington men's and women's tennis begin their stay in the 2018 SBC Championship Tournament on Friday, hosted at the Peachtree City Tennis Center in Peachtree City, Ga.
The women, the No. 5 seed, open against a familiar foe in South Alabama at 7 a.m. CT. The Mavs and Jaguars have faced off against one another three times in tournament play since UTA joined the league in the 2013-14 season. This will be the first matchup in the quarterfinals, with the previous taking place in the finals or semifinals.
"This year is a very even year, all of the teams are very similar," UTA coach Diego Benitez said. "We like our chances. We always play them tough and have been very close to beat them. They are a very good team this year, but we feel that we are very talented. The girls are excited, they want to have another chance. It will be exciting to play them again."
Despite just a 9-9 record going into the tournament, the ladies have played a difficult schedule in preparation for a run this weekend. UTA's month has seen the Mavs take on SMU, North Texas and Baylor, while also sweeping through a Sun Belt pod.
"That is exactly what we wanted," Benitez said. "We built the schedule to play pressure type of matches with conference play a few weeks ago, playing those brings a little bit of extra pressure. We built a schedule with some very good teams with SMU, North Texas and Baylor. Those are teams that increase the level of play. I told the girls that if we can match the play against them, then that is all we need in conference to deal with the type of pressure."
The winner of the women's matchup will play on Saturday at 9 a.m. on ESPN3.
Featuring the Sun Belt Player of the Year Guanarteme Nuez and Newcomer of the Year Enrique Pardo, the men's squad is the No. 6 seed, taking on No. 3 South Alabama at 5:30 p.m.
"The guys are playing very well," Benitez said. "They have come a long way this semester. We had setbacks at the beginning without a complete team. The team came together very strongly because of that and they have stepped up. The leaders are stepping up every day and leading the younger class. In conference, it is about who is more inspired during the week. I like our chances. They are a great team as well and doubles will be crucial in the short series. Every point counts so much."
The top of the lineup has been a rock for UTA, Nuez finishing with an 18-3 record, Pardo at 14-5 and Mauricio Del Rio at 15-3. The Mavs will be looking to the doubles point as a crucial part of the match, an area that has seen UTA come up just short of late.
With the doubles point proving so big, and singles at the top being solid, Benitez points towards his team leader as to what will help motivate the group to pull it out.
Teme is an amazing player, he is only a junior and hopefully the best tennis is still in front of him," Benitez said. "He has been tremendous, he has experience, he has will power and worth ethic and pride to play for UT Arlington. It brings so much to the table. All of the guys playing below him see how he does at the No. 1 spot and he just motivates everyone and is an inspiration for the rest of the team."
The winner of the men's matchup will play its semifinal matchup at 2 p.m. CT.
