WASHINGTON (March 23, 2018) – After a week in Orlando, Coach Larry Strickland and the Howard University Men's & Women's Tennis teams return to the court where they will face rival Hampton in their Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) opener.
 
Due to incoming inclement weather, Saturday's showdown has been shifted to indoors on the campus of Old Dominion University. First-serve at 6 p.m.
 
MATCHUP PREVIEWS
 
Despite a tough start, HU (0-8) men have shown progress as they search for their first win of the season. Last week, three Bison picked up their first singles victories of the year: sophomore Cole Gittens and freshmen Devaughn Blackburn and Roger Lyn. Junior Karim Shokeir and sophomore Sagar Raju served as the squad's top doubles team where they have produced three wins on the year.
 
HU women (3-6) look to get back in the win column after seeing its two-match winning streak come to a halt versus Chicago State. Freshmen Nathalie Finch comes in as the club's No. 1 singles player where she has won her last three matches. Finch and juniors Nicole Hutchison and Kindha Nasef have four singles victories apiece while Finch and Hutchison, along with junior Christina Joynes and newcomer Aria Ragas, each have two doubles wins on the year.
 
After winning their spring opener against foe Norfolk State 6-1, the Pirates (1-4) have dropped four straight. Hampton is led by Kristina Titova and Mariam Mitaishvili, who have combined for 22 single victories on the season.
 
Hampton men seek its first victory of the year (0-6). Matt Foster-Estwick serves as the Pirates' top singles player with 2-3 mark. Fernado Fernandes and Luke Thompson have also picked up wins in singles competition this season.
 
LAST TIMEOUT
 
Friday (March 16), HU men battled but were unable to come away victorious as they lost a tough bout against Chicago State (CSU), 5-2, at the USTA National Campus in Orlando, Fla. Blackburn picked up his first collegiate singles victory by defeating CSU's Cody Wurzelbacher in straight sets (6-4, 6-3).
 
That same day, HU women dropped a tough bout against Chicago State (CSU), 4-3, at the USTA National Campus in Orlando, Fla. Finch continues her dominance in singles competition, earning her third straight victory by knocking off CSU's Mariva Kostyuk in straight sets (7-5, 6-4). Hutchison and fellow classmate Kinda Nasef also won their respective singles matches.
 
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
 
Tuesday (March 27), the women take on Maryland Eastern Shore in league play. Match is scheduled for 1 p.m.
 
Thursday (March 29), the men host Duquesne at the Banneker Recreation Center. The action is set for 1 p.m.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.