MAGNOLIA, Ark. - The Mulerider Men's Tennis team begins its 2025 season this weekend in Lafayette, Louisiana, facing the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, UT Arlington, and Tyler Junior College. They will open with a double-header against the Ragin' Cajuns and Mavericks on Friday (Feb. 7) before taking on the Apaches Saturday morning (Feb. 8).
Southern Arkansas returns five players from last year's roster and welcomes five new additions as they aim to build on last season's success heading into the new campaign. The first serve against the Ragin' Cajuns is set for 9 a.m. on Friday, followed by a matchup against the Mavericks at 2 p.m. On Saturday morning the Muleriders are facing the Apaches at 9 a.m.
University of Louisiana at Lafayette | Feb. 7, 2025, 9 am | 1-3 Overall
The matchup will mark the first-ever meeting between the Muleriders and the Ragin' Cajuns since Southern Arkansas entered the NCAA era. Louisiana Lafayette has begun its 2025 season with a 1-3 overall record, securing its lone victory against UT Tyler while suffering losses to Central Florida in a doubleheader and LSU. Under the leadership of first-year Head Coach Thomas Sevel, the Ragin' Cajuns return a strong singles core from last season. Senior Vasil Dimitrov secured 11 wins while primarily competing in the middle of the lineup, and Oriol Fillat Gimenez earned seven singles victories in his comeback from injury.
UT Arlington | Feb. 7, 2025, 2 pm | 0-4 Overall
The Muleriders and UT Arlington last faced off in February 2022, with Southern Arkansas being victorious in a close 4-3 battle. So far in the 2025 season, UT Arlington is still seeking its first win after falling to the University of Oklahoma, Pepperdine, New Mexico, and UTSA. The Mavericks bring back four players from last year's squad, which captured the Western Athletic Conference regular season and tournament titles before making an NCAA Tournament appearance. Among the returners is Andres Medus, who was named the WAC Men's Tennis Player of the Month last October. After winning the WAC Fall Tennis Invitational, he secured a spot in the 2024 ITA Conference Masters Championship in singles.
Tyler Junior College | Feb. 8, 2025, 9 am | 0-0 Overall
The Apaches of Tyler Junior College currently hold a 2-1 overall record against the Muleriders. The last matchup between the two teams took place in the spring of 2023, with TJC coming out on top. In the fall, the Apaches had both a returning player and a newcomer compete in the ITA Cup. Freshman Daniel Jankoski walked away as the Men's JUCO Singles Champion and teamed up with sophomore Alex Despoja to secure the Men's Doubles Championship as well.
