SEATTLE, Wash. – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros women's tennis team is getting on a roll at exactly the right time with Western Athletic Conference (WAC) play heating up. 
 
The Vaqueros (8-6, 3-1 WAC) are riding a three-match conference winning streak after defending their home courts against Grand Canyon and New Mexico State. They're back on the road for a pair of WAC matches in tough conditions. UTRGV will play at Seattle U at 12 p.m. (CT) Friday and at Utah Tech at 10:30 a.m. (CT) Sunday. 
 
"We're feeling really confident. Riding some great momentum and the team is playing with a ton of energy," women's tennis head coach West Nott said. "Those were tough matches we didn't know if we were going to win going in, so to come out on top was massive for us and we're excited to see what unfolds the rest of the season." 
 
UTRGV leads the all-time series against Seattle U 7-3, but the Redhawks (3-7, 1-2 WAC) did take the last matchup between the two teams 4-3 in the opening round of the 2022 conference tournament. The Vaqueros will likely have to chase their redemption indoors at the Amy Yee Tennis Center, and though indoor tennis isn't something they're too familiar with, they feel confident heading into the match. 
 
The Vaqueros won the only match between UTRGV and Utah Tech 6-1 back in 2021. Though the Trailblazers are winless in conference play, sitting 2-13 overall and 0-3 in the WAC heading into this weekend's bouts, UTRGV isn't taking them lightly. Utah Tech has been competitive in its matches and will have the altitude difference of the Trailbazer Tennis Courts on its side. 
 
Continuing the dynamic doubles play will be a major key for UTRGV to extend the winning streak. All of the conference victories have been aided by the doubles point, as have all eight wins this season. Junior Lea Karren and sophomore Barbara Martinez won the WAC Doubles Team of the Week award on Wednesday and boast an 8-2 record as a duo, rotating between the No. 1 and No. 2 flight with the team of junior Isabelle Bahr and sophomore Marjorie Souza. Bahr/Souza leads the team with nine doubles victories and a 3-1 WAC doubles record. 
 
"These will be really tough matches," Nott said. "Seattle U knocked us out of the tournament last year. We'll play, most likely, indoors, and we don't play indoor tennis so it's going to be a massive challenge for us. Utah Tech is going to be equally as tricky because we're playing in altitude. It's going to be chilly and when the ball flies, it's hard to keep it inside the court. 
 
"I think we're in a good place to meet those challenges," he continued. "We're a confident group and we've been playing great doubles, so if we can take that doubles point right off the bat, we'll put ourselves in the driver's seat."  

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