Texas Tech University Athletics
Tough Schedule Prepares Women’s Tennis for Postseason
March 15, 2017 | Women's Tennis
Lady Raiders have faced nine Top 30 opponents this season
A program's strength of schedule is important in every collegiate sport including tennis. When Head Coach Todd Petty began to create the schedule for the 2016-17 season, he focused in on the strongest opponents he could.
"I knew going into this year we had a veteran team," Petty said. "I wanted to get them out of their comfort zone with the schedule to strengthen the mental toughness."
After back-to-back 20-win seasons, a program-best 25 wins last season and two straight NCAA Sweet 16 appearances, Petty knew he could push this team even harder.
"At the end of last year, I asked the girls what they think we could do better to prepare them after a couple sweet 16 appearances. They all agreed they wanted to see the top team earlier so they could gauge themselves," Petty said.
This spring, the Lady Raiders have faced nine ranked opponents, all in the Top 30. Of those nine opponents, five have been in the top 10 including No. 1, 2 and 3. In those nine matches, the Lady Raiders have posted a 6-3 record.
Texas Tech earned the program's highest ranked win after defeating No. 3 Pepperdine during the consolation quarterfinals of the ITA National Indoor Championships in New Haven, Conn.
Compare that to No. 1 Florida who has played 11 ranked opponents, five of which were in the Top 10. Big 12 rival Oklahoma State has also posted a 6-3 record against ranked opponents, four of those wins coming against Top 25 talent.
The Lady Raiders will continue to face top ranked opponents as the Big 12 is one of the strongest conferences in the country. Seven of the 10 schools participating in women's tennis are ranked in the Oracle/ITA Division I Team rankings as of March 14.
The Big 12 had three teams in the Top 10 including No. 6 Texas Tech, No. 7 Oklahoma State and No. 10 Baylor in the ITA rankings last week.
"More than anything it's seeing the best. There are no surprises down the stretch because they have seen the highest level almost every weekend," Petty said. "We can't just act like we are a tough program, we have to put it on the line every week and be willing to accept the result no matter what."
"I knew going into this year we had a veteran team," Petty said. "I wanted to get them out of their comfort zone with the schedule to strengthen the mental toughness."
After back-to-back 20-win seasons, a program-best 25 wins last season and two straight NCAA Sweet 16 appearances, Petty knew he could push this team even harder.
"At the end of last year, I asked the girls what they think we could do better to prepare them after a couple sweet 16 appearances. They all agreed they wanted to see the top team earlier so they could gauge themselves," Petty said.
This spring, the Lady Raiders have faced nine ranked opponents, all in the Top 30. Of those nine opponents, five have been in the top 10 including No. 1, 2 and 3. In those nine matches, the Lady Raiders have posted a 6-3 record.
Texas Tech earned the program's highest ranked win after defeating No. 3 Pepperdine during the consolation quarterfinals of the ITA National Indoor Championships in New Haven, Conn.
Compare that to No. 1 Florida who has played 11 ranked opponents, five of which were in the Top 10. Big 12 rival Oklahoma State has also posted a 6-3 record against ranked opponents, four of those wins coming against Top 25 talent.
The Lady Raiders will continue to face top ranked opponents as the Big 12 is one of the strongest conferences in the country. Seven of the 10 schools participating in women's tennis are ranked in the Oracle/ITA Division I Team rankings as of March 14.
The Big 12 had three teams in the Top 10 including No. 6 Texas Tech, No. 7 Oklahoma State and No. 10 Baylor in the ITA rankings last week.
"More than anything it's seeing the best. There are no surprises down the stretch because they have seen the highest level almost every weekend," Petty said. "We can't just act like we are a tough program, we have to put it on the line every week and be willing to accept the result no matter what."
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Friday, May 02
Postmatch Press Conference - NCAA First Round
Friday, May 02
Tennis Educational Video
Thursday, May 01
Tic-Tac-Toe Serving Game
Thursday, May 01