MARSHALL, Texas – Fresh of their incredible Spring Break trip to Hilton Head, South Carolina last week, the East Texas Baptist University men's tennis team returns home to face off against two opponents including the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and ASC foe Mary Hardin-Baylor.

Before their trip, ETBU hosted a home match against Centenary two weeks ago. The match was no contest as ETBU swept the Gents with a 9-0 shutout to make it their second straight win.  

ETBU competed in the Spring Tennis Fest last week in South Carolina and came away undefeated with two wins and a tie. In their first match, ETBU defeated Westminster (PA) 9-0 while only yielding three points in doubles play as they won #1 8-2, #2 8-0, and #3 8-1. In singles play, Connor Mason (#1 6-3, 6-0) and Cody Highsmith (#2, 6-1, 6-1) would be the only players to surrender points while everyone else won their singles matches 6-0, 6-0.

On Day 2, ETBU delivered a 7-2 win over Messiah College (PA). The pairs of Highsmith/John Herr (#2, 8-5) and Ty Tarver/Joseph Salinas (#3, 8-3) got two doubles wins while Mason (#1, 0-6, 6-2, 10-2), Highsmith (#2, 3-6, 6-2, 10-3), Andrew Deutsch (#3, 6-1, 6-0), Herr (#4, 6-1, 6-4), and Rollin Houk (#6, 6-3, 6-3) got the wins in singles play.

ETBU's final opponent was against Connecticut College. This one ended in a 4-4 tie as the match was called due to darkness. Highsmith/Herr (#2, 9-7), and Tarver/Salinas (#3, 8-4) won the doubles matches while Highsmith also won the singles match at #2 7-6 (10-6), 3-6, 10-8. Salinas took care of the #5 singles match 6-3, 4-6, 10-8.

Looking to build on their momentum, ETBU turns their attention to Wisconsin-Eau Claire on Thursday and UMHB on Saturday. While ETBU will be taking on the Blugolds for the first time, the Tigers will look to atone for last season's 5-4 loss to the Crusaders.

Coach Bramlett knows how big of a match UMHB is. "We lost to UMHB in a close match 5-4 last year," said Coach Bramlett. "I know the men would like a win against them. We lost to them I think two years in a row in very close matches. I think both matches were 5-4 each time.  We're expecting a tough battle against them. It's a match that we always look forward to. It should be a lot of fun. We're looking forward to that one."

Thursday's match starts at 2:00 PM while Saturday's match starts at 10:00 AM.