Jan. 30, 2008

LUBBOCK, Texas - Coming off a 3-0 opening weekend at home, the Texas Tech Women's Tennis Team will take to the road for the first time this season. Traveling to Tucson, Ariz., the team will meet San Diego on Fri., Feb. 1, and Arizona on Sat., Feb. 2., at noon.

To kick off their 2008 spring season, the Lady Raiders hosted three matches last weekend against Texas State, Texas-Pan American, and Air Force. Tech went 20-1 in both doubles and singles, sweeping both Texas State and UTPA 7-0, and defeating Air Force 6-1.

Tech had a mixture of both newcomers and veterans in the lineup. Junior Samantha van der Drift was back at the No. 1 singles spot, followed by senior Janet Durham at both No. 2 and 4, and sophomore Kerryn Potgieter filling No. 5. Lubbock-native Kelsy Garland made her debut playing both No. 2 and 3, while Simone Templeton started at the No. 3 and 4 positions. In addition to Garland and Templeton, two other newcomers, Leah Roberts and Kyla Coleman, saw playing time filling No. 6.

In doubles, the Lady Raiders continued to dominate going 8-1and clinching all three doubles points. Garland and freshman Ingrid Ballus teamed with both Durham and van der Drift at No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, while the No. 3 spot included teams of Maria Jose Andres and Potgieter, Roberts and Templeton, and Andres and Templeton.

This will be the first meeting between Tech and San Diego, while No. 39 Arizona leads the series 2-0 over the Lady Raiders. Both matches will be played at noon, CST, at the LaNelle Robson Tennis Center in Tucson.