RIO GRANDE VALLEY – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros women’s tennis team will host the Texas A&M-Kingsville (TAMUK) Javelinas at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Orville Cox Tennis Center.
The match was originally scheduled for Feb. 27, but due to inclement weather in Edinburg, it was rescheduled. Regardless of the day, the Vaqueros (5-3) are excited to be back on their home court after a month of road matches.
“I’m actually happy about the rescheduling because we finally got some rest. We’ve been traveling on the road a lot, and just to recoup and recover has been really helpful,” UTRGV head coach West Nott said. “We’re excited to play Thursday. Home matches are great because we’re comfortable here. This is the surface we’re used to, and it’s a slower surface, it’s high-bouncing, and we really like having that extra time. We tend to play our best tennis right here at home.”
UTRGV boats a 12-3 record against TAMUK (3-3) with nine of those wins coming at home. The two programs split a doubleheader in Kingsville in 2021, with UTRGV taking a 4-0 victory and dropping the other match 2-5.
Nott expects this go ’round to be competitive again, but feels his team is in a good place mentally to pick up the win. He praised the positivity and energy the Vaqueros bring to the court daily, and with the home field advantage providing extra confidence, Nott knows UTRGV will play to the best of its ability.
“They’re a gritty group over there, so we’ll be ready for everything they throw at us,” Nott said. “Our student-athletes handle adversity well. They’re really positive under pressure. We’re going to keep doing what we’re doing. It’s another chance to notch up another victory and hopefully we get the job done.”
One of the student-athletes Nott is excited to see get back in the lineup Thursday is Ana Platisa. The senior last competed on Feb. 18, when she captured a 6-2, 6-4 at No. 4 singles in a match against UT-Permian Basin. Nott said Platisa “has a great spirit about her” and has been working hard in practice waiting for her next opportunity and he believes she’ll use it well.
Platisa said the Vaqueros overcame the weather obstacles last week by training in the gym and rec and focusing on strength and conditioning. She’s ready to help her team build its momentum with a strong performance at home and invites the UTRGV nation to show up and support the team.
“This season has been great so far. We’ve had a couple of really good wins, so we have confidence and I think it’s going to be a really good match,” Platisa said. “I’m expecting good energy, good fight, and to be loud and have fun. I hope everyone can come to see us play against Kingsville.”
Support UTRGV Women’s Tennis | Become a Fan on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Follow us on Instagram | Follow us on YouTube
This news is republished from another source. You can check the original article here