NEW ORLEANS – It's been a while since the New Orleans Privateers men's tennis team (6-5) hit the court. They will get back to match play on Thursday when they welcome the Troy Trojans to the University Tennis Center. The match is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.
The Privateers have not played since their Feb. 10 victory over Prairie View A&M. In that span, the Privateers had one scheduled match at South Alabama that got rained out. A date to make up that match has not yet been announced.
"It's going to be a tough match against Troy," said Coach
Burzis Kanga. "They're a very good team and we'll have to play well collectively but I believe we can compete with them. This match is really important for us."
New Orleans has battled through a rugged schedule that started early. The Privateers have already played the likes of Florida State, Georgia State, and Louisiana (twice). More rugged matches beckon with a bout against 11-1 Troy and a match against nationally ranked Texas A&M before Southland play starts on Mar. 22 (at Lamar).
The lineup has been balanced as evident in the win totals. Four Privateers have earned five singles wins this spring. As a unit, New Orleans is 27-24 in singles play. In doubles, the top two tandems have gone a combined 12-5.
Misha Fomenkov and
Mats Westkamp have a 6-2 mark at flight one while
Johannes Klein and
Samuel Armand have gone 6-3 at flight two.
Troy won the meeting between the two sides 4-1 last season. The Trojans have not lost to the Privateers in the last 10 meetings between the two sides.
The Trojans will make a stop in Jackson to take on the Jackson State Tigers on Wednesday before heading to the Big Easy. The only loss Troy has suffered this year was a 4-1 defeat to the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns at the HEB Invitational. Pelayo Antuna and Oskar Michalek each lead the way in singles with nine victories apiece this spring.
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