MAGNOLIA, Ark. – The Southern Arkansas Women's Tennis team returns to action on Tuesday from the Live Oaks Tennis Courts as they welcome in Arkansas Tech for a nonconference affair beginning at 2 p.m. It will be the second match of the season for the Mulerider Women after opening their 2020 campaign with a dominant 7-0 showing over UT-Tyler on January 31.
 
The Muleriders and Golden Suns met three times last season with Southern Arkansas claiming all three matches. SAU topped their league foe 5-2 in nonconference action on March 1 in Russellville. The Muleriders were also victorious in the league matchup claiming a 4-1 win in Magnolia on April 5. The third and final meeting between the in-state opponents came in Bentonville in the semifinals of the GAC Tournament Championship. The Muleriders used a victory at line one by Joanna Nowakowska to clinch a 4-3 win over ATU and advance to the tournament final.
 
The Muleriders return five of their six line players that saw time against the Golden Suns last season. For ATU, four of their six line players from the league tournament meeting are back.
 
Southern Arkansas is receiving votes in the Oracle/ITA Division II Women's National Team Rankings and holds the No. 2 ranking in the Central Region. Arkansas Tech is currently ranked No. 6 in the Central Region and enters Thursday's matchup at 4-1 on the season. The Golden Suns have defeated Truman State, Missouri Western, Henderson State and Ouachita with their lone defeat coming in the spring opener to Augustana.
 
Individually, Nowakowska entered the spring ranked No. 3 in Central Region Individual Rankings, while holding the No. 39 ranking nationally. Tech's Michelle Khoo entered at No. 4 in the region and at No. 46 nationally. Sophomore Angela Vargas, the reigning GAC Freshman of the Year, is currently ranked No. 11 in the Central Regino. Nowakowska and Vargas combine for the No. 6 ranked doubles team in the Central Region.