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HOUSTON, Texas – The University of Texas-Pan American Broncs women's tennis team (2-10) faces their toughest challenge of the season when they visit the No. 36 Rice University Owls (12-6) on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at Jake Hess Tennis Center.
 
The Series
 
This is the ninth meeting all-time between the Broncs and Owls in a series that dates back to 1988. The Broncs took the inaugural match 9-0 and are looking for their first win since then.
 
Last Time Out
 
The Broncs are coming off of a 4-3 loss at Prairie View A&M on Friday. The Broncs got their points with singles wins at No. 1 (Malin Andersen), No. 3 (Wanda Beguelin) and No. 5 (Suncica Stkic). The Broncs won the No. 1 doubles match and fell just short at No. 2, 9-7.
 
Scouting the Owls
 
The Owls have had two different four-match winning streaks this season, including one to start the season and one in the middle. They have lost two-straight, falling to No. 68 Missouri 4-3 on March 31 and to No. 31 Tulsa on April 1. The Owls are 4-6 against nationally ranked teams and 8-0 against unranked teams. Their biggest win of the season was 4-3 over No. 26 South Florida on March 4. They have also beaten No. 65 LSU (5-2), No. 35 Oklahoma (5-2) and No. 52 Tulane (5-2). Their other losses were against No. 42 Texas Tech (4-2), No. 21 Alabama (6-1), No. 28 Texas A&M (5-2) and No. 45 Illinois (5-1).
 
The Owls have dominated in the No. 1 spot of both singles and doubles, with Natalie Beazant going 14-1 and Dominique Harmath going 3-0 in singles while a team of Beazant and Harmath is 14-3 in doubles (the Owls are 15-3).
 
The other doubles positions have been closer, with the Owls going 10-7 at No. 2 and 9-9 at No. 3.
 
In singles, the Owls have a winning record at every position except No. 6, including a 13-3 record, thanks in large part to a 12-3 mark by Kimberly Anicete, at No. 5. Overall, the Owls are 34-19 (.642) in dual singles.
 
Common Opponent
 
The Broncs and Owls have had one common opponent this season:
 
Opponent                                    UTPA Results                        Rice Result
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi            L 6-0                                    W 7-0
 
Next Up
 
The Broncs play their final tune-up before they host the Great West Conference Tournament when they visit the University of Houston on Sunday at 11:00 a.m.