Talent will be tested, conditioning challenged and heart determined Saturday, when the Bisons and Lady Bisons host Atlantic Sun rival, Belmont University, in the Battle of the Boulevard at the Huston-Marsh-Griffith Tennis Center.
“This weekend is going to tell us a lot about this program moving forward into next year,” Lipscomb head coach Andrew Harris said. “Both teams have the opportunity to break through into unknown territory.”
Both teams are coming off tough losses to Campbell and are ready to close out the season with a bang in their final regular season match of the year.
The Lady Bisons were shut out by Campbell last weekend, and their record slipped to 2-7. With Belmont holding the same record, the Lady Bisons have a strong chance at posting their third conference win of the season.
“With the ladies, if we are able to come through and beat Belmont this would allow us to finish with three conference wins this spring,” Harris said. “That would be a school record for our women’s team.”
Harris said the Lady Bisons are definite contenders to make school history due to their familiarity with the Belmont roster.
“What is great going into this match is that many of our ladies played against the Belmont players throughout the fall in the University of Memphis tournament and the Vanderbilt Tournament,” Harris said. “So we are all familiar with one another and I think it will be one of the more exciting matches here all season.”
The Lady Bisons fell to Belmont last season 5-2.
On the men’s side, the Bisons closed out last weekend with a 6-1 loss to Campbell. Preparing for a Belmont team that is 0-9, the Bisons have confidence going into their final regular season match.
With a win, the Bisons will post one of the strongest finishes in Lipscomb’s history.
“Our men’s team has never qualified (top six) for the conference tournament, and with a win on Saturday against Belmont, it certainly will create a tremendous opportunity for us,” Harris said. “Belmont will be ready to go, though, and I know that they are relishing the spoiler role this weekend.
“The guys better be ready to go physically and mentally because this will be a difficult match, but one they are looking forward to.”
In addition to the rivaled Battle of the Boulevard, Saturday is Senior Day in honor of the five seniors in the program.
The Lady Bsons will honor Julianne McMeen and Kara Jackson, while the Bisons celebrate Joe McArdle, Mario Hernandez and James Murrell’s accomplishments and contributions to the program.
Match play will begin at 10 a.m. on Satuday, followed by the second annual Lipscomb Racquet Club Block Party.