Today's rivalry match between the Longhorns and the Aggies isn't just for the typical bragging rights, but it is also a huge game for the conference standings. The Longhorns are currently second, while A&M is right behind in third.
No. 20 Texas travels to College Station today to square off against No. 33 Texas A&M (14-6, 8-1) at the George P. Mitchell Tennis Center.
This match means a lot for the Aggies, since this Wednesday is their last home match and Senior Night for the seniors Marisa Druss, Anna Blagodarova and Tiffany Clifford, known as the "Triple Threat."
Despite the ferocity of the "Triple Threat," it is likely that none of the three seniors will play in the No. 1 slot in singles. Sophomore Elzé Potgieter, ranked No. 75th in the ITA, has been the usual starter at No. 1 for the Aggies in 2008.
Potgieter will face Texas sophomore Vanja Corovic, who is ranked 64th, at No. 1 singles. In No. 2 singles contest, the Longhorns will start senior Courtney Zauft against freshman Christi Liles.
Sophomore Stephanie Davison will draw Blagodarova at No. 3, while freshman Caroline Larsson will play Clifford at No. 4.
In the No. 5 slot, the Longhorns will match sophomore Sarah Lancaster against freshman Morgan Frank, and at the No. 6 position, freshman Maggie Mello will most likely play Druss or freshman Stephanie Davidson.
The doubles portion should provide a lot of excitement.
The Longhorns will place the No. 21 ranked duo of junior Marija Milic and Corovic at No. 1. They will play Clifford and Blagodarova, who beat the No. 2 doubles pair in the ITA, Zemenova and Broosova of Baylor.
Mello and Zauft will play Liles and Potgieter at No. 2, and Davison and Larsson will face Davidson and Frank at No. 3.
The Longhorns are riding high, coming off of a six-game winning streak. Texas has knocked off Iowa State, Nebraska, Colorado, Missouri, Kansas and Kansas State after suffering a 5-2 loss at the hands of No. 1 Northwestern. It seems that maybe the experience of playing a No. 1 team was beneficial. Texas has just two more games until the Big 12 championships.
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