After picking up three wins against Arkansas-Pine Bluff Wednesday to improve to 11-12 overall, the Rebel Netters will take on Texas A&M Friday in the last SEC home match of the season. The match also marks the last home SEC match for head coach Billy Chadwick, who has seen a lot in his long, historic career with Ole Miss.
“My dad was an Aggie,” Chadwick said. “He has passed away, but I am in hopes that he will give us a little help from above to beat the Aggies.”
The Rebels took care of business against Arkansas-Pine Bluff Wednesday, as they won every singles match in all three matches.
The Rebels will look to improve their 3-8 record in the SEC as they take on 10th-ranked Texas A&M.
Texas A&M enters the match against the Rebels on a nine-match winning streak. The Aggies have a 20-5 overall record and are tied atop the SEC with a 9-1 record in conference play. The Aggies’ lone loss in the SEC came against then-22nd-ranked Kentucky, losing 0-4. The Aggies have played tough competition all season, beating teams like Tennessee, Florida, South Carolina, Vanderbilt, Georgia and Alabama. The other four losses for the Aggies came against Illinois, Ohio State, Baylor and Oklahoma.
Friday is also senior day, and the Rebel Netters will celebrate Johan Backstrom, the only senior on the roster.
“This is a huge match, and a very exciting one, especially for me,” Backstrom said. “I was actually recruited by both schools. I know their coaches very well. Like my dad said, the circle is complete. I was choosing between Ole Miss and Texas A&M, and my very last home SEC match happens to be against them. It’s going to be a special day.”
Ole Miss Sports Information contributed to this report.
— Dylan Rubino
thedmsports@gmail.com
