RIO GRANDE VALLEY – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros women's tennis team will be hosting the St. Mary's Rattlers on Friday at the Orville Cox Tennis Center in one final tune-up before opening Western Athletic Conference (WAC) play. 
 
The Vaqueros (4-5) are looking to wrap up their three-match homestand with a victory over the Rattlers at 1 p.m. UTRGV is 3-4 against St. Mary's. The Rattlers have won two of the last three meetings between the programs, all played in San Antonio. UTRGV has two wins over the Rattlers at the Orville Cox Tennis Center and has won two of the three matches they've played on their home courts this season. The Vaqueros are looking to increase both stats to three on Friday with the help of a supportive crowd. 
 
"We hope you'll come watch us," sophomore Barbara Martinez said. "The energy here is different. It just feels nice playing at home and feeling that energy on the courts. We are all expecting to come out here and get our jobs done and get another win for the team." 
 
Martinez said the Vaqueros have continued to stress doubles in practice, which has been a key component to their success in recent seasons. UTRGV has won the doubles point in five of its nine matches this season – with all five of those doubles points coming in consecutive matches to help the Vaqueros go 4-1 in that stretch. Martinez and junior Lea Karren have been particularly impressive in the No. 2 doubles flight. They have won all five completed matches they've played together. 
 
After opening the season against stout competition in Baylor and Houston, the Vaqueros have settled in against other mid-major opponents. The singles lineup continues to see some slight tweaks, but Martinez, Karren, junior Isabelle Bahr, sophomores Marjorie Souza and Daniela Rosenberger, and freshman Yaiza Vazquez have taken the courts in the majority of UTRGV's outings. Bahr leads the team with five singles victories. 
 
UTRGV has done well through the first phase of the season, and the Vaqueros are striving to use their signature high-energy approach to fuel themselves to a win Friday and create some momentum before taking on conference play next weekend. They know it won't be easy going up against the No. 17 NCAA Division II team, but they're confident and ready to compete. 
 
"I think the season for us has had a good start. We pulled some big wins against Texas State, Incarnate Word. I think we're pretty solid. The whole team is working so good together, very energetic and we love that," Martinez said. 

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