April 15, 2004

ABILENE, Texas - Hardin-Simmons' men's and women's tennis teams will both compete for American Southwest Conference titles this weekend at the ASC Tennis Championships hosted by Mississippi College in Clinton, Miss.

The Cowgirls are going for their fourth straight crown and they have not lost a single individual or doubles match in an ASC dual this year. They also have not lost an ASC match since the 2000 ASC final.

Rebecca Watkins is the leader of the Cowgirls, who are likely headed to the NCAA Championships for the first time in school history. She is expected to be nationally ranked in singles and doubles when the first spring rankings come out next week.

Seniors Bobbye Thompson, Sarah Bartlett and Nancy Chandler, along with veterans Stephanie Haynes and McKenzie Swindle comprise the Cowgirl lineup. HSU plays UT-Tyler (8-4, 5-1) in the first round on Friday at 10 a.m. and would play the winner of Mississippi College (12-3, 6-0) and Mary Hardin-Baylor (6-3, 5-1) on Saturday at 10 a.m. in the final, if they are to win.

The men's team is going for its third straight conference crown. They also have not lost a conference individual or doubles match this season and have won ever ASC match since losing the 2001 final to Mississippi College.

Sophomore David Wu leads the team at the No. 1 position. Seniors Brad Grace, Mark Plowman and John Roaten will all be in the lineup as will freshman Wes Kidd, Roy Lehman and Darren Grace. One of the players will play only doubles.

The Cowboys will open with Mississippi College (9-5, 4-1) at 2 p.m. on Friday and would play the winner of UT-Tyler (9-2, 4-0) and Schreiner (5-2, 5-1), if they are to advance to Saturday's 10 a.m. final.