RIO GRANDE VALLEY – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros women's tennis team is set for three matches at the Orville Cox Tennis Center starting on Thursday with the Western Athletic Conference cluster. 
 
Seating at UTRGV home tennis matches is limited to 25 fans. Limiting the capacity allows for proper social distancing among fans, staff, and student-athletes. 
 
Face masks are required to be worn properly by all fans, media and staff present inside the Orville Cox Tennis Center. The CDC defines wearing a mask correctly as covering the nose and mouth and securing it around the chin, trying to fit in snugly against the side of the face. The CDC does not recommend using masks with an exhalation valve or vent. Neck gaiters, bandanas and similar items are not acceptable alternatives to face masks. Children ages 2 and under are not required to wear masks.
 
Restrooms at the Orville Cox Tennis Center will be closed to the public to limit access into the Tier 1 section.

The Schedule
The following is a complete schedule for the matches at the Orville Cox Tennis Center starting on Thursday. 
 
Thursday - WAC Cluster
Dixie State vs. New Mexico State – 8 a.m.
UTRGV vs. Grand Canyon – 12 p.m.
Seattle U vs. Chicago State – 4 p.m.
 
Friday - WAC Cluster
Tarleton vs. New Mexico State – 8 a.m.
Chicago State vs. Dixie State – 12 p.m.
Grand Canyon vs. Seattle U – 4 p.m.
 
Saturday - WAC Cluster
UTRGV vs. Tarleton – 9 a.m.
 
Sunday
UTRGV vs. Prairie View A&M – 10 a.m.
 
Last Time Out
UTRGV fell in a doubleheader to the University of Houston 1-6 and 0-6. 
 
The Vaqueros (3-11) fell behind in match as the Cougars swept through doubles to take the doubles point.
 
In singles, the Vaqueros got on the board as redshirt sophomore Katarina Sasaroga defeated Laura Slisane in three sets at the No. 3 spot. After falling 4-6 in the first set, Sasaroga won 6-4 in the second to force a tiebreaker. Sasaroga and Slisane went back-and-forth before Sasaroga won 10-8. 
 
The Cougars won the other five matches to clinch the win.
 
In the second match, The Cougars got a point by default at the No. 6 singles spot before winning the rest of the matches to clinch the win over the Vaqueros (3-12).
 
Facing Grand Canyon

• Grand Canyon is 6-7 on the season and 2-0 in WAC play.  
•  The Antelopes are on a five-match win streak after defeating Colorado State, Dixie State, Tarelton, and Idaho State twice. 
• Grand Canyon is 39-38 in singles play while posting a 17-19 record in doubles. 
• Natasha Puehse and Jana Weiss lead the Antelopes with a 9-4 in singles. Autum Prudhomme and Emilia Occhipiniti and Joely Lomas and Taylor Andersen have each posted eight wins in doubles. 
• UTRGV is 3-5 all-time against Grand Canyon in a series that dates back to 2014. 
• Grand Canyon won the previous matchup 4-2 at the WAC Tennis Tournament in Brownsville. 

 
Facing Tarleton

• Tarleton is 6-9 on the season and 1-1 in WAC play. 
• Tarleton is coming off of a 1-4 loss to Texas State and is currently on a three-match losing streak. 
• The Texans opened WAC play with a 6-1 win over Chicago State and lost 1-6 to Grand Canyon. 
• Tarleton is 39-38 in singles play while posting an 18-22 record in doubles. 
• Martha Makantasi leads the Texans with a 10-2 record in singles while teaming with Jemi Aguilar to tie for the team lead with four wins in doubles. Mihaela Codreanu and Faustine Palatte have also posted four doubles wins this season. 
• UTRGV and Tarleton met for the first time earlier this season with Tarleton coming away with the 6-1 win in at the Orville Cox Tennis Center. 

 
Facing Prairie View A&M

• The Panthers are 7-15 on the season. 
• Prairie View A&M is on a five-match win streak heading into their match against Texas State on Wednesday. 
• Prairie View has wins over Southern, Alabama State, Jackson State, Mississippi Vallley State, Alabama A&M, Grambling State, Alcorn State, and St. Thomas.
• UTRGV is 16-1 all-time against Prairie View A&M in a series that dates back to 1986. 
• UTRGV won the last matchup 6-1 back on Jan. 28, 2018 at the Orville Cox Tennis Center. 
• UTRGV has won the last seven matches. 

 
Upcoming Schedule

• Apr. 13 @ UTEP – 1 p.m.
• Apr. 16 vs. Seattle U – 2 p.m.
• Apr. 17 vs. Dixie State – 10 a.m.
• Apr. 30-May 2 – WAC Tournament

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