HOUSTON, TEXAS – The University of the Incarnate Word men's tennis team dropped a match on the road against Rice University on Valentine's Day, 4-0.

The #50 Rice Owls (8-1) used their home court advantage against the Cardinals (2-4) to keep the visitors off the board.  In doubles, the duos of Joey Vatanadilok (San Antonio/Bridgeway Academy) and Sebastian Mortier (Hanau, Germany/Karl-Rehbeln-Schule)  as well as Tucker Brown (New Braunfels/New Braunfels HS) and Ryan Hoverson (Grand Forks, ND/Red River HS) were dispatched by identical 6-3 scores.

In singles play, only three matches were completed.  At #1 singles, Vatanadilok was dealt a loss to Jamie Malik, 6-1 and 6-1.  Mortier and Hoverson also each lost in straight sets to give the Owls the win.

The Cardinals will return to the nest for three consecutive matches.  Incarnate Word will first face Tyler Junior College on Friday at 2 p.m.  Saturday's match will be against UT Rio Grande Valley with doubles starting at 9 a.m.  UIW will finish off the weekend against Prairie View A&M on Sunday at 2 p.m.
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