Nik Scholtz returns the ball during a tennis match in Oxford on Wednesday. Photo: Thomas Graning, The Daily Mississippian.
The Rebel Netters will play host to Southeastern Conference foes Arkansas and LSU this weekend. Ole Miss (4-8, 2-4 SEC) will look to bounce back from the loss against No. 4 Southern Cal Wednesday when it suits up against Arkansas today and LSU Sunday.
The Rebels lost to USC 5-2. Junior Nik Scholtz and senior Johan Backstrom delivered the two wins.
Scholtz picked up his second win of the week against a ranked opponent in singles by defeating No. 11 ranked Yannick Hanfmann 7-5, 7-6 (5).
Backstrom fought back after dropping the first set to win 3-6, 6-3, 10-5.
Arkansas (11-10, 1-4 SEC) has played tough competition this season including nonconference opponents Texas, Minnesota, Purdue and Oklahoma State, all losses for the Razorbacks. Their one win in conference play came against Alabama.
LSU (9-8, 0-5 SEC) will travel to Mississippi State Friday before coming to Oxford on Sunday. Despite its poor conference record, LSU has dominated its nonconference opponents. The Tigers will travel to Oxford with a chip on their shoulders as they look to get into the win column in SEC play.
Scholtz looks to continue his winning trend as he seeks to expand his impressive singles record. The Rebels need the players on courts four, five and six to emerge victorious in order for the Rebels to be successful this weekend.
The Rebel Netters will look to take this weekend’s opportunity to bolster their standings in the SEC. The competition with USC puts Ole Miss in a position for success this weekend.
The match with Arkansas will begin at 2 p.m. today, and the LSU match will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday.
— Dylan Rubino
djrubino@go.olemiss.edu
