CLEVELAND, Miss. – After a seven-match road stretch, the Delta State men's and women's tennis teams will host the University of North Alabama on Sunday, March 11 at 10 a.m. and Alcorn State on Wednesday, March 14, at 2:00 p.m. to open the 2018 home season. Both matches will take place at the Cleveland Country Club.
 
"We've been on the road for about a month, so I'm excited to finally begin home play," said Jeffrey Farris, head coach for the Delta State men's and women's tennis teams. "I encourage all fans and the community to come out and support DSU tennis."
 
DSU VS. UNA MATCH NOTES:

• Delta State opens the 2018 home season against UNA. Over the past nine seasons, the Statesmen are 4-5 in home openers, while the Lady Statesmen are 2-7 in home openers.
• Since UNA announced its transition to DI, this will be the last GSC contest between the two rivals.
• In the last meeting between the two rivals, the Lions defeated the Statesmen 6-3 and the Lady Statesmen 8-1.
• Currently, UNA men's team holds a 2-5 overall record and 1-3 record in GSC action, while UNA's women's team is 3-4 overall and 2-2 in GSC play.
• The Statesmen enter Sunday's contest undefeated in GSC competition after winning 5-4 against Mississippi College.
• The Lady Statesmen are looking to snap a three-match losing streak after losing to Mississippi College on Wednesday, March 7.

DSU VS. ALCORN STATE MATCH NOTES:

• Delta State's midweek contest between Alcorn State is the final of two matches scheduled against an NCAA DI opponent this season.
• The Alcorn Braves have yet to win a match this season, entering Wednesday's contest with an 0-5 record.
• The Statesmen squared off against the Braves twice last season with Alcorn State winning both matches.
• The Lady Braves are currently 1-8 this season. In the last meeting between the Lady Braves and Lady Statesmen, the Lady Braves won 4-0.
   

ALLEZ LE TERRIER:

• Freshman Emile Le Terrier has dominated the competition at the No. 1 spot for the Statesmen.
• A native of Paris, France, Le Terrier enters the season ranked No. 47 nationally in the Oracle/ITA Division II National Singles Rankings. He is the first Statesman since 2008 to earn a national ranking. Pascal LaPlace was the last Statesman to earn an ITA national ranking, finishing the 2008-09 season ranked No. 46 in DII.

 
NOTABLES:

• The Statesmen are a perfect 4-0 against GSC competition this season and are sitting in second place in GSC standings.
• Delta State's four GSC wins mark the most conference victories in a season since 2014 when the Statesmen finished 5-3 in GSC play.
• The Statesmen's 5-4 win over MC marks the second contest decided by one match point.
• Junior Ione' Deroode leads the Lady Statesmen with four match wins in singles play. She boasts a team-best 3-1 record in GSC matches.
• Charlotte Le Flohic and Nathalia Sato lead the Lady Statesmen in doubles with a 3-3 record.

 
UP NEXT:
The Statesmen and Lady Statesmen will travel to Montgomery, Ala., for a GSC match against Auburn University at Montgomery on March 23, at 1:00 p.m.