San Antonio is set to host a pair of crucial matchups for the UT Arlington Mavericks men’s tennis team this week, as they seek their first win of the season. The Mavericks will face the UTSA Roadrunners on Thursday at 11 a.m. At the UTSA Tennis Center, followed by a Friday contest against the Incarnate Word Cardinals at the Mabry Tennis Center, also at 11 a.m. The team is currently 0-7, and these matches represent a key opportunity to build momentum as the season progresses. This upcoming stretch is particularly important for a team navigating early-season challenges.
The Mavericks recently concluded a weekend of competition, falling to Wichita State 4-0 on Friday and Lamar 5-2 on Sunday. A recurring issue for UTA has been a player shortage, resulting in forfeits on Court 6 in singles and Court 3 in doubles during both matches. These forfeits have proven costly, particularly in doubles play, where securing the doubles point is often pivotal to overall match success. Despite the setbacks, the team has shown resilience, with several singles matches going to decisive third sets, demonstrating a competitive spirit.
Against Lamar, UTA saw strong performances from Yazid Lahjomri, who secured a victory on Court 1 with a 7-6 (7-1), 3-6, 6-4 win over Leon Nickel, and Saúl Berdullas Calviño, who defeated Maxwell Lindstedt 6-7 (3-7), 6-3, 6-2 on Court 2. Yet, Lamar ultimately prevailed, winning the other two third-set battles on Courts 3 and 5. These close contests highlight the Mavericks’ potential and their ability to compete with strong opponents.
A History on the Courts
UT Arlington boasts a strong historical record against UTSA, leading the series 26-20 in 46 all-time meetings. However, the Roadrunners have dominated the recent matchups, winning the last six encounters, including a narrow 4-3 defeat for the Mavericks last season. This history adds another layer of intensity to Thursday’s contest, as UTA looks to break UTSA’s winning streak and reclaim their dominance in the series.
The matchup against Incarnate Word presents a different dynamic. UTA has a perfect 5-0 record against the Cardinals, including a 6-1 victory in their most recent meeting in 2025. The 2025 match marked the first time the two programs had faced each other since 2018, demonstrating a relatively infrequent but consistently successful rivalry for the Mavericks.
Scouting the Opponents
UTSA enters Thursday’s match with a 0-9 record, having faced some of the same opponents as UTA, including Texas A&M and Wichita State. Both the Mavericks and the Roadrunners suffered 7-0 losses to Texas A&M on January 17, and UTSA fell to Wichita State 6-1. The Roadrunners are led by sophomore Oskar Grzegorzewski, who holds a 4-4 record competing exclusively on Court 1 in singles play. Grzegorzewski also partners with Ben Chetewy Ungar in doubles, forming one of UTSA’s two doubles teams with a win this spring.
Incarnate Word, is enjoying a successful start to the season with a 5-1 record. They have won their last five matches, including four consecutive 4-0 victories against Alcorn State (in a doubleheader), Mississippi Valley State, and Jackson State. This winning streak demonstrates the Cardinals’ strong form and presents a significant challenge for the Mavericks on Friday.
The Cardinals’ recent success is built on a strong overall performance, having opened the season with a 6-1 loss to Texas. Their ability to secure decisive victories in recent matches suggests a well-rounded team capable of consistent performance.
The Mavericks will need to overcome their recent struggles and capitalize on their historical advantage against Incarnate Word to secure their first win of the season. The team’s ability to compete in close matches, as demonstrated against Lamar, suggests they have the potential to challenge both UTSA and Incarnate Word.
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Following these two road matches, the Mavericks will return to Arlington to prepare for their next set of challenges. The team’s performance in San Antonio will be a crucial indicator of their progress and their ability to compete in the Western Athletic Conference.
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