Men's Tennis Hosts Tennessee State Saturday, Visits UAB Sunday

 
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Returning to match action in the Music City for the first time in over a month, the Belmont University men's tennis team hosts Tennessee State Saturday afternoon at the Beaman Family Tennis Complex. First serve of the Horizon League South Division match is slated for 2:30 p.m.
 
On Easter Sunday, the Bruins will head south on Interstate 65 to face the University of Alabama at Birmingham in non-conference action. First serve Sunday at the Hoover Met Tennis Complex in Hoover, Alabama, is set for 2 p.m.
 
After an over two-week break from match action, Belmont swept Southern Indiana 7-0 on the road last Saturday afternoon to begin Horizon League play. The Bruins enter the weekend 4-7 on the season and 1-0 in conference play.
 
Senior Niklas von Hellens and junior Ruben Busch picked up Belmont's first Horizon League Doubles Team of the Week honor on Wednesday after a dominant 6-0 win at No. 1 doubles last Saturday against the Screaming Eagles.
 
Both junior Ian Cruz and senior Tomas Luis have been impressive in singles play this spring. Cruz enters the weekend riding a four-match singles win streak and is 9-2 in dual match play with an 8-2 record at the No. 3 spot. Meanwhile, Luis is 8-2 at No. 2 singles.
 
Last year, the Bruins defeated the Tigers 7-0 both at home and across town at Hadley Park.
 
Sunday's meeting with UAB will be the first matchup between the two teams since April of 2021. In that outing, Belmont topped the Blazers 6-1 in Nashville.
 
Tennessee State began Horizon League play Friday afternoon with a 7-0 home sweep of Lindenwood. The Tigers have won just four matches on the year and are 4-15 overall. A 6-1 win over Lipscomb indoors at the Ensworth Tennis Center and road victories at New Orleans (5-2) and Nicholls (6-1) earlier this month are Tennessee State's only other triumphs.
 
UAB, who is 9-9 on the year, most recently suffered a 4-0 loss at nationally-ranked Rice. The Blazers have won two of their last three matches and are 4-2 at home this season.
 
Up Next
The Bruins head down the opposite end of Belmont Boulevard next Thursday to take on nearby rival Lipscomb. First serve from the Huston-Marsh-Griffith Tennis Center is scheduled for 1 p.m. Next weekend, Belmont returns to Horizon League play and travels to Eastern Illinois and Lindenwood.
 
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