March 27, 2014

COLUMBIA, S.C. – No. 36 South Carolina (10-9, 2-4 SEC) looks to extend its three match win steak as it travels to No. 61 LSU (10-9, 1-6 SEC) on Fri., Mar. 28, at 4 p.m. and finish the weekend facing No. 67 Arkansas (11-12, 1-6 SEC) on Sun., Mar. 30, at 1 p.m.

With a commanding win against The Citadel and two straight SEC wins, the Gamecocks look to build off last weekend’s momentum. A force in the doubles lineup, Andrew Adams and Kyle Koch continue to hold a perfect record as they extended their win streak to seven, helping the Gamecocks secure two of the three doubles points of the weekend. With three straight wins in singles, Chip Cox has improved his overall record to 18-8. Koch, playing primarily in the No. 5 spot, continues to be a consistent figure in the Gamecocks’ singles lineup winning four of his last five finished matches.

After winning its first SEC match last weekend on the road against Ole Miss, LSU heads back to Baton Rouge to take on the Gamecocks. Head coach Jeff Brown is in his 17th season with the Tigers, leading them to three top-10 finishes during his time. The Tigers currently have a 10-9 overall record, 2-4 in SEC league play, as well as an 8-4 home mark. LSU relies on redshirt freshman John Michael Busche to carry on his four-match win streak primarily in the No. 6 position. Justin Butsch, a true freshman, has won his last six singles matches for the Tigers. LSU’s sole upper classman, No. 77 Chris Simpson, has defeated only one of his eight ranked opponents in the No. 1 spot, beating the then-No. 21 player in the country. The Tigers lead the overall series, 26-9, but the Gamecocks won both of last season’s meetings.

Before taking on the Gamecocks this weekend, the Razorbacks travel to Gainesville and face No.15 Florida on Friday. Arkansas currently holds a 11-12 record, with a 1-6 record in SEC action. In singles, sophomore Santiago Munoz is on a three-match win streak, predominantly in the No. 4 spot in the Razorback lineup. Arkansas boasts the Nos. 37 and No. 71 doubles teams in the country. Ranked No. 37 and playing in the top spot in the lineup, Manfred Jeske and Mike Nott are on a three-match streak that includes a win over the No. 40 tandem in the nation. Sitting in the No. 2 spot in the Razorback lineup is the No. 71 ranked doubles team of Hall Fess and Pete Thomason. The duo are also on a three-match win streak, winning six of their last seven matches. South Carolina currently leads Arkansas in the overall series, 14-10.

The Gamecocks return to Columbia to take on No. 48 Ole Miss on Fri., April 4, at 5 p.m., and No. 17 Mississippi State on Sun, April 6, at 12 p.m. at the Carolina Tennis Center.