CHALLENGING WEEKEND AHEAD FOR WOMEN’S TENNIS

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RADFORD, Va. – The Radford women's tennis team has a pair of difficult tests on tap this weekend as the Highlanders travel to Elon, Saturday at 2 p.m., and nationally-ranked Virginia Tech, Sunday at 6 p.m.

"For our program to go in the direction we want it to go, I believe we need to play opponents who are of high caliber," head coach Martin Sayer said. "Elon is talented and Virginia Tech may be the highest-ranked opponent Radford has ever faced on the women's side. Our team looks forward to the challenge."

The Phoenix carries a 2-4 record through its first six matches, having played four nationally-ranked opponents this season. Ironically, the Hokies (ranked 54^th at the time) served as Elon's season-opening match. Tech handed the Phoenix a 6-1 defeat on Jan. 18 at Burrows-Burleson Tennis Center in Blacksburg, Va.

Following its match with the Hokies, Elon collided with three more nationally-ranked teams: No. 3 North Carolina, No. 4 Georgia and No. 55 Kansas State (the last two were part of the ITA Kickoff Weekend). The Phoenix is scheduled to play North Carolina A&T at 10 a.m. before playing the Highlanders in the afternoon.

Afterward, Radford returns to the New River Valley to face the Hokies, who enter this week as the 47^th-ranked team in the nation. In addition to its battle with the Highlanders, Tech is scheduled to open ACC play versus Pittsburgh and No. 12 Clemson in Blacksburg. The match against the Tigers is set for 1 p.m., Sunday, with the Hokies returning to the court at 6 p.m. to take on RU.

Tech's (6-2) two losses came against No. 11 Michigan and No. 28 Tulsa at the ITA Kickoff Weekend hosted by the Wolverines in Ann Arbor, Mich. The Hokies boast one nationally-ranked singles player in Francesca Fusinato (No. 90), who claims a 7-1 mark while playing all her matches at the top two flights.

It is an intriguing matchup for Sayer; he was on the opposite side this time last year as Tech's assistant coach. "I am excited to schedule a high-caliber team like Virginia Tech. Where they are [in terms of national rankings], is where I want to take our program."

Next up for Radford is a pair of Big South matches before it continues south for spring break in Florida. The Highlanders are set to play Coastal Carolina, March 7 at 11 a.m., and Charleston Southern, March 8 at 2 p.m.

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