The New Orleans Privateers men’s tennis team will start their conference schedule on March 20 when they face Lamar, followed by a home match against UIW at the Privateer Tennis Center.
This marks an important phase for the Privateers as they look to recover from a four-match losing streak. Their most recent defeat was a 4-0 loss to New Mexico on March 17. Previous losses in this stretch include matches against North Dakota, Omaha, and sixth-ranked LSU.
Freshman Carlos Melgosa has become the first Privateer this season to reach double-digit singles wins, holding a record of 10-3. During the match against New Mexico, Melgosa was leading his opponent at flight two before the overall tie was clinched by the Lobos. In doubles play, the team has experimented with nine different pairings so far this season, with no duo playing more than eight matches together. The team’s overall doubles record stands at 18-19.
Another freshman, Beltran Fernandez, played his first match at flight one during the contest with New Mexico and is close to reaching ten singles wins himself. Fernandez currently holds nine victories this season, four of which have come in three-set matches.
After these upcoming home matches, only conference games remain for the Privateers, who currently hold an 8-7 record. These are also their last home contests before traveling to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, UTRGV, and Nicholls ahead of the Southland Tournament.
Historically, New Orleans has had success against both upcoming opponents. The team has won four of its last five meetings with Lamar—three by narrow 4-3 margins—and holds a 3-1 record in its last four encounters with UIW.
