The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga women's tennis team has a road trip through Alabama planned for the weekend. The Mocs take on UAB in Birmingham on Saturday, followed by a Sunday match at Alabama State in Montgomery.
First serve against the Blazers is 1:00 p.m. (E.S.T.) in George Ward Park. Match time on Sunday against the Hornets is 2:00 p.m. (E.D.T.) at the Olean Black Underwood Tennis Center.
The Mocs bring a 10-3 mark into the weekend. UTC has won four in a row, including Sunday's 4-3 Southern Conference victory at home against UNCG.
Sophomore Caroline Hall is looking for her fifth-straight win in singles action. She is 7-1 at No. 3 and 3-1 at No. 4 this spring.
Senior Rachele Gazzola and junior Samantha Caswell continue to hold down the top spot in doubles. They are 7-3 overall and have won three in a row.
UAB is 3-9 with wins over Lipscomb (4-3), Kennesaw State (4-2) and Troy (6-1). Chattanooga is 15-12 all-time against the Blazers, including wins in three of the last four outings. UAB won last year's match 4-1 on Jan. 30 in Chattanooga. These two teams have met each of the last four seasons and 12 times since 2002.
"We feel the UAB match will go down to the wire," stated UTC head coach Chad Camper. "I have known that program from my time in the Conference USA and Coach Mark does a great job. They are tough at doubles, and his team is deep as well. We need to really be ready to play this match."
Alabama State is 7-5, including a 4-3 win over Jacksonville State on Feb. 12. The Mocs have beaten the Hornets each of the last two seasons, which are the only two times these two teams have met. UTC posted a 6-1 win in the last meeting on March 18, 2016, in Chattanooga.
"We got to see Alabama State this fall and they are a well-coached program," added Camper. "Their doubles are very good and their top two players will give any program a tough time. This is a hungry team and we need to bring our top game in order to win."