FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – After a 12-match stretch on the road, the Northern Arizona men's tennis team will host for the first time this season against North Dakota and Northern Colorado.
Before their home opener, the Lumberjacks will first compete against Marquette University Thursday, March 15 in a neutral Las Vegas match. These two teams have only gone head-to-head three times with Marquette up 2-1 in its previous matchups.
Northern Arizona will then host its home opener Saturday, March 17 against the UND Fighting Hawks and Sunday, March 18 against the UNC Bears.
Following this weekend the Lumberjacks will have just seven more matches before the Big Sky Conference tournament in Phoenix.
Northern Arizona's home matches will be held in the Aquatic and Tennis Complex and are free for all who attend. All fans will be given a free NAU rally towel and NAU branded cork coasters while supplies last.
All three matches are set for 10 a.m. start times.
Highlight Reel
- Junior Tim Handel was the first Lumberjack to notch an Athlete of the Week honor this season on Feb. 28.
- Last season the Lumberjacks finished on top as the 2017 Big Sky Regular Season champions for the first time in 35 years after recording a 15-8 overall record and 10-1 conference mark.
Weekend Scout
Marquette University
Thursday, March 15 | 10 a.m.
Fertitta Tennis Complex | Las Vegas, Nev.
Marquette is currently 8-3 overall and have yet to compete in conference. The Golden Eagles are coming off of a 4-3 win over IUPUI and will compete against Northern Arizona and UNLV this upcoming week in Las Vegas. The last time these two teams went head-to-head was in 2015 where the Golden Eagles came out on top in a close 4-3 win over the 'Jacks. The 10-man roster is led by head coach Steve Rodecap.
North Dakota
Saturday, March 17 | 10 a.m.
Aquatic and Tennis Complex | Flagstaff, Ariz.
Live tweeting available at @NAUMensTennis
The North Dakota Fighting Hawks are coming off of two 7-0 losses by Montana State and Montana. The Fighting Hawks are 1-8 overall with their lone win coming in their season opener 4-3 against Sacramento State. The last time North Dakota and Northern Arizona faced off was last season when the 'Jacks defeated the Fighting Hawks 5-2. The 10-man roster is led by head coach Tom Wynne who is in his 27th season with North Dakota.
Northern Colorado
Sunday, March 18 | 10 a.m.
Aquatic and Tennis Complex | Flagstaff, Ariz.
Live tweeting available at @NAUMensTennis
The Northern Colorado Bears are currently 7-7 overall and 1-4 in the Big Sky. The Bears sole win came in February when they defeated Eastern Washington 4-3. Northern Colorado is coming off of a 5-2 loss to Weber State and will compete against Southern Utah Friday and Northern Arizona Sunday. The Bears fell to the Lumberjacks last season 5-2 to end the 2017 campaign. The eight-man roster is led by Ben Gendron who is in his third season with Northern Colorado.
Coming Up
Northern Arizona will have two more matches this month against UNLV on Tuesday, March 20 and against Idaho State Saturday, March 31. Both matches set for 10 a.m. on the road. Following those two matches, the 'Jacks will have six more competitions before the Big Sky Conference tournament.
