MARSHALL, Texas – For the fourth season in a row, the East Texas Baptist University men's tennis team will take part in the American Southwest Conference Championship Tournament. After finishing the season 7-8 overall and 3-1 in the ASC East Division, ETBU is the second seed from the East Division and they will have the first match of the tournament on Thursday against Hardin-Simmons University (#3 seed West Division).
 
Last year, ETBU won their first ever match against the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in the first round of the tournament advancing to the semi-finals. Their season came to an end in the second round with a 5-0 loss to the University of Texas Dallas. All-time, the Tigers are 2-3 in the ASC tournament.
 
ETBU will start the tournament against HSU, a team fell to, 6-3, earlier in the season. HSU took an early 2-1 lead after doubles and then won the first three singles matches for the win. ETBU won at #4 singles by Andrew Deutsch in a tie breaker, 3-6, 6-3, 10-9, and at #5 singles, 6-2, 6-4, by Tyler Howard.
The Cowboys finished their season 8-8 overall and 4-2 in the ASC West Division. HSU earned wins over Howard Payne (9-0), Mary Hardin-Baylor (5-4), McMurry (8-1), and Sul Ross State (9-0). Their two losses came to Texas Dallas (6-3) and Concordia-Texas (6-3).  
 
The tournament will be hosted by LeTourneau University, who won the ASC East Division. ETBU's first match with HSU will start at 9:00 AM on Thursday. If  ETBU wins their first match, they will play the winner of Concordia University (TX) and Louisiana College on Friday.