MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Last season, competitive collegiate tennis returned to Magnolia as the Southern Arkansas Men's & Women's Tennis teams began their first seasons of play in the Great American Conference. After magical championship runs by both programs, the Muleriders are back for year two under head coach Greg Owen with the goal of topping the successes of 2019.
 
First up for both programs is Friday's home opener at the Live Oaks Tennis Courts. The Mulerider Men & Women welcome in the Lone Star Conference's UT-Tyler for a 2 p.m. first-serve. Southern Arkansas owns a combined 19-0 record at home since the programs' first competition on the new surface last February against UT-Tyler. Before the 2020 campaign begins, a quick look back at the accomplishments of both teams in 2018-19.
 
Mulerider Women (2018-19)
 
*First season of competition since 2011-12
*Posted a 25-5 overall record; 10-0 mark at home on the Live Oaks Tennis Courts
*Great American Conference Regular Season Champions (6-0)
*Great American Conference Tournament Champions
*No. 4 Seed in NCAA Central Region I Preliminary Round
*Earned program's first Division II postseason win with come-from-behind 4-3 win over #22 Southwest Baptist
*Finished one win shy of advancing to the NCAA Division II National Championship Tournament
 
Mulerider Men (2018-19)
 
*First season of competition since 1992-93
*Posted a 20-6 overall record; 9-0 mark at home on the Live Oaks Tennis Courts
*Great American Conference Regular Season Champions (3-0)
*Earned the No. 2 Seed in the NCAA Central Region II Preliminary Round; Hosted event at OUA
*NCAA Central Region Preliminary II Round Champions
*Earned 16^th seed in NCAA Division II National Championship Tournament
 
Match recaps will be made available at www.MuleriderAthletics.com. Stay tuned for upcoming national rankings announcements, the MIAA-GAC Men's Tennis Coaches Preseason Poll and other early season info on SAU Tennis.