April 24, 2003

ABILENE, Texas - Hardin-Simmons men's and women's tennis teams will look to defend their American Southwest Conference team titles when they host the ASC Championship at the Streich Tennis Center on the HSU campus on Friday and Saturday.

The Cowgirls, who come into the tournament as the two-time defending champions, have not lost an American Southwest Conference match in three years. They are led by Nancy Chandler at No. 1 singles and doubles. She has not lost a conference match in singles or doubles and comes into the tournament ranked fifth in the nation in doubles, with freshman Allison Baker.

HSU (12-4, 7-0 ASC West) will be in action against the University of the Ozarks (8-3, 4-1 ASC East) beginning at 2 p.m. on Friday. Mississippi College (15-2, 5-0 ASC East) and Mary Hardin-Baylor (6-4, 5-1 ASC West) will play at 10 a.m. in the other semifinal with the winners playing for the conference title at 2 p.m. on Saturday.

In the men's division the Cowboys are led by senior Mitch Aston at No. 1 singles and doubles. He will likely be named the ASC Player of the Year for the third straight year, after not losing a match in conference play. Brad Grace, Mark Plowman and David Wu anchor the the Cowboy's lineup.

The HSU men (12-4, 7-0 ASC West) will be looking for their second straight ASC title after winning against Mississippi College last season in Clinton. HSU will play UT-Dallas (3-3, 3-1 ASC East) in the first round at 2 p.m. on Friday. Mississippi College (13-3, 4-0 ASC East) and Schreiner University (9-4, 6-1 ASC West) will play in the first semifinal at 10 a.m. The men's final will be held Saturday at 10 a.m.