SAN ANGELO – The Angelo State women's tennis team, after opening their home schedule with a 6-1 win over UT Permian Basin last weekend, return home for a pair of tough matches this weekend at the ASU Tennis Courts, hosting third-ranked Central Oklahoma on Friday and Nebraska-Kearney on Saturday, who are receiving votes in the ITA poll.
In addition to their win last week, the Belles also faced #21 Southwest Baptist last weekend in a neutral-site match in Wichita Falls, dropping the match to the Bearcats 4-2.
The Belles are 6-2 overall on the season and 1-0 in conference play.
On the doubles' side, the number two pairing of
Ramitha Irrinki and
Ayda Guler have paced the Belles this season, with the duo recording a 7-1 record this spring. Number one pairing
Valentina Gonzalez and
Ena Ovcina are 5-2 while the number three pairing of
Eva Schwartz and
Mieke Van Deventer are 5-3.
On the singles side, Irrinki and
Dianela Rodriguez are undefeated this season at 7-0 and 6-0, respectively, while Schwartz is 6-1 this season in singles play.
Following this weekend, the Belles will hit the road for a trio of matches during spring break, facing Spring Hill, #12 West Florida and #6 West Alabama.
SCOUTING THE BRONCHOS
Central Oklahoma, the third-ranked team in Division II, are 6-1 overall on the season, with their lone loss coming to #1 Barry last week in the ITA Indoor National Championship finals.
The Bronchos are led in doubles play by sisters Mae and Christine Canete, who won the ITA Doubles National Championships this past fall at the ITA Cup. Additionally, Mae Canete also made the finals of the singles National Championship at the ITA Cup.
This season, they have wins over RV DBU, #22 Midwestern State, #5 Columbus State and #2 UIndy.
The Belles have never defeated the Bronchos in four attempts.
SCOUTING THE LOPERS
Nebraska-Kearney, who are receiving votes in the last ITA poll (2/17), are 6-2 overall on the season and are 3-2 this spring, with losses coming to Division I Drake as well as Augustana, and wins over Harding, RV Drury and Minnesota State.
This matchup will mark the meeting between the Belles and the Lopers.
