Spring Break
Men's tennis team to open conference play with Tech
By: Michael Sullivan
Issue date: 4/3/09 Section: Sports
The Texas A&M men's tennis team will play their conference home opener today when the Aggies play Texas Tech at the George P. Mitchell Tennis Center.
The Aggies enter the contest on a six-game winning streak that includes two wins against Big 12 opponents Oklahoma and Oklahoma State.
"Right now we are playing well and feeling good about ourselves," A&M Head Coach Steve Denton said. "Hopefully we can continue to get good results in Big 12 play."
The Aggies and Red Raiders enter into the match with similar overall records of 11-5 and 11-6, respectively. A&M opened Big 12 play with two victories on March 27 and 29 against Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. Texas Tech will be playing its first conference matches this weekend against A&M on Friday and Texas on Sunday.
Although on paper A&M appears to have the upper hand with their Top 3 singles players all ranked in the Top 100 nationally, Denton said Tech will not be an easy victory.
Tech boasts a line-up that includes depth from four seniors playing in its six singles positions.
"They are a very good team with veteran players and are well coached," Denton said. "They have added depth in their lineup and will present some problems for us. I anticipate it being another close match."
During their previous six matches, the Aggies' victories have come thanks to the play of senior Conor Pollock, sophomore Austin Krajicek, and freshman Colin Hoover. The trio of Aggies have posted a combined record of 15-3 in their singles matches.
Pollock, who ranks No. 19 nationally, has posted an individual record of 4-2 over the six-match stretch with his two losses coming to players ranked in the Top 10 nationally.
Krajicek, who ranks No. 51 nationally, has not lost a contest in his previous six matches played.
Hoover is unranked, but has been the deciding match in three of the Aggies' previous six contests, posting a 5-1 record. Against No. 7 Illinois and No. 35 LSU, Hoover broke 3-3 ties to give A&M victories in both matches, 4-3.
A&M will play three consecutive conferences matches during the week of April 3-10. After playing Texas Tech Friday, A&M travels to Waco to battle Baylor on April 8 before returning back to the George P. Mitchell Tennis Center on April 10 to face Nebraska.
In Big 12 standings, A&M is tied for first place with Texas. Both schools have a record of 2-0. Denton said the Aggies are mentally ready for the conference stretch and hopes to see a big crowd for the conference home opener.
"Our guys are fighting hard and we have a good mindset of always being in the match," Denton said. "We are hoping to have a big crowd for our first conference match at home."
The Aggies enter the contest on a six-game winning streak that includes two wins against Big 12 opponents Oklahoma and Oklahoma State.
"Right now we are playing well and feeling good about ourselves," A&M Head Coach Steve Denton said. "Hopefully we can continue to get good results in Big 12 play."
The Aggies and Red Raiders enter into the match with similar overall records of 11-5 and 11-6, respectively. A&M opened Big 12 play with two victories on March 27 and 29 against Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. Texas Tech will be playing its first conference matches this weekend against A&M on Friday and Texas on Sunday.
Although on paper A&M appears to have the upper hand with their Top 3 singles players all ranked in the Top 100 nationally, Denton said Tech will not be an easy victory.
Tech boasts a line-up that includes depth from four seniors playing in its six singles positions.
"They are a very good team with veteran players and are well coached," Denton said. "They have added depth in their lineup and will present some problems for us. I anticipate it being another close match."
During their previous six matches, the Aggies' victories have come thanks to the play of senior Conor Pollock, sophomore Austin Krajicek, and freshman Colin Hoover. The trio of Aggies have posted a combined record of 15-3 in their singles matches.
Pollock, who ranks No. 19 nationally, has posted an individual record of 4-2 over the six-match stretch with his two losses coming to players ranked in the Top 10 nationally.
Krajicek, who ranks No. 51 nationally, has not lost a contest in his previous six matches played.
Hoover is unranked, but has been the deciding match in three of the Aggies' previous six contests, posting a 5-1 record. Against No. 7 Illinois and No. 35 LSU, Hoover broke 3-3 ties to give A&M victories in both matches, 4-3.
A&M will play three consecutive conferences matches during the week of April 3-10. After playing Texas Tech Friday, A&M travels to Waco to battle Baylor on April 8 before returning back to the George P. Mitchell Tennis Center on April 10 to face Nebraska.
In Big 12 standings, A&M is tied for first place with Texas. Both schools have a record of 2-0. Denton said the Aggies are mentally ready for the conference stretch and hopes to see a big crowd for the conference home opener.
"Our guys are fighting hard and we have a good mindset of always being in the match," Denton said. "We are hoping to have a big crowd for our first conference match at home."
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