For Immediate Release: Thursday, March 27, 2003
Contact: Adam Pitterman, UTPA Assistant Sports Information Director, (956) 381-2240

BRONCS TAKE WINNING STREAK INTO ARLINGTON

EDINBURG, TX— Freshman Oliver Steil (Brunssum, The Netherlands/AF North International School) will lead The University of Texas-Pan American men’s tennis team into what shapes up to be one of the biggest weekends of the season. 

Saturday, Texas-Pan American puts their five-match winning streak on the line against defending Mid-Continent Conference champion, Oral Roberts.  The Broncs will play defending Southland Conference Champion Texas-Arlington Sunday.  Both matches will be played at the UTA Tennis Center in Arlington Texas.

Steil brings a nine-match winning streak in singles competition into Saturday’s contest, while freshman Nik Porter (Tunbridge Wells, England/Bennett Memorial School) has won six consecutive singles matches.

ORU currently has a record of 2-11, has lost eight consecutive matches, and will play Texas-Arlington on Friday.  “Oral Roberts will be a good non-conference match for us,” said UTPA Head Coach Todd Chapman.  “They have won the Mid-Continent Conference the last few years.”

UTA is currently 7-5, has won three straight matches, and is tied with Texas-San Antonio at 3-0 for first in the Southland Conference.  “Arlington is the biggest match for us this year,” said Chapman.  “They have been conference champions the last few years.  A lot will do with how we play in doubles.  We’re going to need a total team effort.

UTA’s David Corrie was named Southland Conference Player of the Week, posting 2-0 records in both singles and doubles play, including a singles win over 39th ranked Oscar Chow of Columbia.

After Sunday’s match, the men’s tennis team will return to action when they travel to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on April 4th.

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