Tulane men’s tennis drop matches against ranked opponents

Zach Brandwein, Staff Reporter

Parker Waters

The Tulane Men’s tennis team competed in several events recently, finishing with an overall record of 6-9. Although their record does not look the best, Tulane dropped four of their last six contests against higher ranked teams — falling in matches against Middle Tennessee State University, the University of Memphis and losing twice to the Auburn Tigers. However, the Green Wave is yet to beat a ranked opponent this season. 

Men’s tennis started February by having a match with LSU postponed due to COVID-19 protocols in the Tigers’ camp before being demolished 6-1 by the No. 24 Auburn Tigers. The Green Wave rolled over the Rice Owls 6-1, but the LSU Tigers won the rescheduled match, losing five of six singles matches after winning all three doubles sets.

Tulane traveled to the Blue Gray Invitational in Montgomery, Alabama, where a 4-2 victory over the Alabama Crimson Tide was sandwiched between losses to the No. 30 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders and a rematch against the Auburn Tigers, now ranked at 25.

The Arizona State Invitation in Tempe, Arizona went better for the Green Wave, with Tulane winning two of three. The Olive and Blue lost a close 4-3 contest to No. 72 Wichita State University before rattling off wins against the Michigan State Spartans and the Pennsylvania State Nittany Lions.

Following this tournament, Tulane lost 4-3 to both No. 35 Memphis Tigers and No. 71 Oklahoma State University. With the Green Wave not beating ranked opponents, they have yet to solidify themselves in the upper echelon of Division I tennis. 

These next couple weeks will be huge for the Green Wave, as they will play four more American Athletic Conference teams before competing in the conference championship in late April. The upcoming conference games will be huge if Tulane wants to secure a higher position in the AAC’s standings. 

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