Owls and Mustangs Renew Series for Season Finale
4/14/2018 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
by Chuck Pool (cpool@rice.edu) -
Two old and familiar rivals close out the 2018 dual season on Sunday as Rice hosts SMU in the 42nd meeting between the two in dual action since 1980.
First serves are set for 11 a.m. and Rice Tennis will be handing out free pizzas to all fans attending the match.
Rice comes into today's match with a 9-15 mark and will be looking to reach double figures in dual wins for the 23rd consecutive year. SMU is 8-17 this year after dropping a 5-2 decision to Tulsa on Friday. This is the eighth consecutive year the two schools have met and Rice leads the overall series 22-18.
The schools have split the last six matches, with SMU winning last year in Dallas, 4-1.
Rice took the first meeting between the two at the GRBTC, winning 4-2 in 2016. The Owls 4-3 win over the Mustangs in the 2012 C-USA Championship was the final win in the career of former Rice Hall of Fame Coach Ron Smarr.
While Sunday's marks the final regular season dual match, the Owls will be back on their home courts next weekend as they will host the Conference USA Championship.
Play gets underway on Friday with two matches at 10 a.m. and two more at 2 p.m. The bracket for the championship will be released on Monday, so be sure to check RiceOwls.com or on twitter @RiceTennis to learn when the Owls will open play.