Texas Tech University Athletics
No. 17 Red Raiders Headed To Big 12 Championships
April 22, 2015 | Men's Tennis
April 22, 2015
WACO, Texas -- College tennis is often like a game of chess, coaches looking for the right matchup against an opponent to gain an edge. The second season begins Friday for the Red Raiders, as No. 17 Texas Tech (18-7) takes on No. 10 Texas (18-5) at 9 a.m. at the Hurd Tennis Center in the first round of the Big 12 Tennis Championships.
The winner of Friday's match will advance to take on No. 1 Oklahoma in the tournament semifinals at noon on Saturday. The finals are set for noon on Sunday and will air on Fox Sports 2.
"Our lineup has been pretty much the same all year, except for interchanging No. 1 and No. 2 and No. 5 and No. 6," said Red Raider head coach Tim Siegel. "Texas has four seniors in the lineup, so they are a veteran program. But I feel like we can compete with them.
"Last time we faced Texas, we were able to get the doubles point, and we were in some matches. I feel like we are playing some of our best tennis right now."
There is more than just survive and advance riding on this match. A Red Raider win would elevate Texas Tech into the top 16 and create an opportunity to host the NCAA Championships first and second rounds. Texas Tech has not hosted the first two rounds since 2005.
"Obviously that is on our players' minds," added Siegel. "We just have to keep our focus."
Texas won the first matchup in Austin on Apr. 4 at the Caswell Tennis Center, 4-1. The Red Raiders won the doubles point and took four of the six matches to three sets.
After the Big 12 Championships, the Red Raiders will look to find out their NCAA fate. The NCAA Selection Show is set for next Tuesday.
Players Mentioned
