RIO GRANDE VALLEY – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros women's tennis team's Saturday match against the Lamar Cardinals will be significant for many reasons. 
 
The 10 a.m. bout is the regular season finale and the only Western Athletic Conference (WAC) match the Vaqueros get to play in the comfort of the Orville Cox Tennis Center. UTRGV (10-9, 2-2 WAC Southwest Div.) can gain some ground in the WAC Tournament seeding race with a win over Lamar (10-10, 1-3 WAC Southwest). 
 
"It's our last conference match and it's awesome that we have the chance to play at home, because we didn't have a cluster at home this season," senior Alicia Thal said. "Everything is really close in our conference right now, so that match could change everything for the seeding for the tournament coming up next week. It's exciting to have it at home and get the crowd behind us. We're going to bring the energy." 
 
It will also be the last home match for five members of the team – Thal and fellow seniors Ana Platisa, Sandra Putz and Katarina Sasaroga, as well as sophomore early graduate Natalie Arce. Thal has been on the team since 2017, while Platisa, Putz and Sasaroga joined in 2018. The four seniors helped the program win two UTRGV Athletic Director's Cup awards. 
 
Vaqueros head coach West Nott will have all four seniors in the lineup on Saturday, marking the first time this season they all take the court in a match. 
 
"It's going to be emotional," Sasaroga said. "It's the last match at home for us. It's been four long years, and one not that long because of COVID, but we started off as babies and we've grown so much. The growth from everyone is just incredible. It's going to be a special day that we're going to remember for a very long time." 
 
The Vaqueros not only want to send the special group off with a big win, but also want to build up some momentum for the conference tournament which begins on April 22 in Beaumont. With emotions likely to be high that day and a lot on the line in a tough match, the Vaqueros want to focus on being mentally tough to come out with a win. 
 
"For us seniors it's important to enjoy this match and leave everything on the court and compete as hard as possible," Putz said. "For the team overall, it's important to handle adversity well. Keep our heads up, be positive. We're ready for it. We just have to mentally show it." 

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