HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University men's tennis team embarks on an important road trip to the Music City this weekend, taking on Tennessee State on Friday before closing out the Atlantic Sun Conference schedule on Saturday against Lipscomb. Friday's action will get started at 4 p.m. against the Tigers, while the Norse men will follow the women's team at Lipscomb, starting around 2 p.m.
The Norse (5-12, 0-5 A-Sun) are looking to snap a six-match slide after a 7-0 loss to No. 28 Louisville on Tuesday.
Christopher Angulo continues to lead the team with an 11-9 singles record, having won three of his last five singles outings. In doubles play,
Mate Virag and
Jody Maginley have won two of their last three matches as a team to improve to 3-4 on the year.
A WORD ABOUT TENNESSEE STATE: The Tigers are 1-13 on the year after picking up a 5-0 win over Alabama A&M last weekend. Prior to Friday's action, Tennessee State will conclude its Ohio Valley Conference schedule against Belmont on Thursday. Senior Darryl Hale stands at the top of the Tigers' lineup, while Daniel Bernal has picked up a pair of singles wins in the team's last two matches at the No. 3 flight.
A WORD ABOUT LIPSCOMB: The Bisons are looking to snap a six-game losing streak of their own, entering the weekend with a 9-12 overall record and an 0-5 mark in A-Sun play. Rob Mitchell mans the top flight for the Bisons with a 9-10 record on the season, while Alejandro Manzanares follows at No. 2, leading the team with 10 singles wins on the year. Daniel Hernandez and Thais Minet team up at the No. 3 doubles flight, leading Lipscomb with a 6-4 record on the year.
POSTSEASON IMPLICATIONS: Saturday's match poses a simple situation for the Norse in their quest for their first A-Sun Championship appearance – win and you're in. Lipscomb and NKU will break their sixth-place tie in the standings on Saturday with the winner clinching the No. 6 seed in the championship, set for April 17-19 in Jacksonville, Florida.
UP NEXT: The Norse will conclude the 2015 regular season next Wednesday when they head across the Ohio River to take on local rival Xavier.
