JACKSONVILLE – Following an entire week off, Jacksonville State women's tennis travels to Central Arkansas this weekend to open ASUN Conference play. That match in Conway, Ark., will begin at 11 a.m. Sunday.
 
"We're excited to get going in league play," head coach Mike Mucci said. "I think we've been tested a lot in non-conference so we are ready to go, in my opinion. UCA is a program that is always dangerous and we'll have to be prepared for a battle."
 
Jax State (10-3) scored a 7-0 win at Alabama A&M in their last showdown on Sunday, March 5. The Gamecocks earned the doubles point with ease and swept singles action in Huntsville. After their midweek test at UAB was postponed due to weather, Mucci's squad should be well-rested as a challenging league slate begins. 
 
Central Arkansas (7-5, 1-0) picked up a 6-1 win over North Alabama on Friday in their home conference opener. The Sugar Bears had several decisive setbacks in non-conference play to the likes of Belmont (5-1), Missouri (7-0), and Southeast Missouri State (7-0), but enter Sunday's test winners in four of their last five matches. 
 
The two programs had never met prior to last March's ASUN showdown at the JSU Tennis Courts. Jax State battled well but could not clinch wins down the stretch in a 5-2 loss at home. This season, the series shifts to the Natural State for the 2023 campaign's only regular season meeting. 
 
Action at the UCA Tennis Courts will start around 11 a.m. Sunday. Links to follow along with live stats will be provided at JSUGamecockSports.com.
 
To stay up-to-date with the Gamecocks, follow their Twitter (@JaxStateTN), Instagram (@JaxStateWTennis), and Facebook (Jacksonville State University Tennis) accounts.