The Presbyterian Blue Hose (9-5)  plays the Longwood Lancers (8-5) and the Norfolk State Spartans (10-8) at the Templeton Tennis Courts this week. First, Presbyterian faces Longwood in a Big South Conference showdown on Thursday, April 2, at 10 a.m. Then, the Blue Hose battle the Spartans on Friday, April 3, at 10 a.m.
 
A LOOK AT THE BLUE HOSE
Presbyterian coach Juan Pablo Boada is in his second season at the helm of the program. Presbyterian returned three letterwinners: senior David Mamalat and sophomores Daksh Prasad and Eduardo Valentin. Joining those three returners are newcomers junior Matija Samardzic, sophomore Gabriel Godoy, and freshmen Thomas Anderson, Victor Mayer, and Dario Navarro.  This fall, Mamalat and Samardzic captured the doubles title at the Big South Individual Championship and advanced to the quarterfinals of the ITA Conference Masters Championship. Every Blue Hose posted singles and doubles wins during the fall's tournament season.
 
This spring, Samardzic leads the team with ten singles wins. Mamalat, and Prasad have collected nine wins apiece. Valentin has recorded seven singles wins. Navarro has tallied six wins.  The doubles tandem of Mamalat and Samardzic has picked up a team-leading 11 wins all at number one doubles.
 
LAST TIME OUT
The Blue Hose beat the Furman Paladins, 4-2, on the road this past Tuesday. Samardzic, Mamalat, Prasad, and Valentin recorded singles wins.  
 
BIG SOUTH WEEKLY HONORS
On February 25, Navarro was named the Big South Conference Freshman of the Week. Navarro was the 20^th player in the program's history to earn the Big South Freshman of the Week award. Navarro played an integral role in helping the Blue Hose beat Wofford, 4-3, on the road on February 17. At number two doubles, he teamed with Anderson to post a 6-4 win, which clinched the doubles point for the Blue Hose. Then, he clinched the overall victory for the Blue Hose with PC's fourth win of the match with a 6-2, 6-4 victory at number five singles.
 
On March 4, Samardiz was named Big South Conference Player of the Week. Samardzic was the 18th player in the program's history to earn the Big South Freshman of the Week award. He won both his singles and doubles matches in helping the Blue Hose pick up a 4-3 road win at Chattanooga. He teamed with Mamalat for a 6-1 win at number one doubles, helping the Blue Hose capture the doubles point. Then, he recorded a 6-1, 2-6, 6-2 win at number three singles.

BIG SOUTH PRESEASON POLL
Presbyterian was picked to finish third in the preseason Big South coaches poll. Longwood was picked to win the Big South title in the preseason poll.
 
In Presbyterian's men's tennis program's history, the Blue Hose have captured three Big South regular-season titles (2014, 2017, and 2023) and three Big South Tournament titles (2017, 2021, and 2023).
 
SCOUTING LONGWOOD
Thursday's match will be the 14^th meeting between Presbyterian and Longwood, with Presbyterian leading the series, 11-2. Longwood beat PC, 4-3, at home in their last matchup, March 28. 2025. The Blue Hose beat Longwood, 6-1, in their last match in Clinton, S.C., April 17, 2024. Longwood has won four of its last five matches, defeating Norfolk State, UNC Asheville, Howard, and North Carolina Central. Alejandro Uribe leads the team with eight wins in dual match play.
 
SCOUTING NORFOLK STATE
Friday's match will be the first-ever meeting between Presbyterian and Norfolk State. The Spartans have split their last four matches with wins over Virginia State and Wagner. Dominik Simunovic leads the team with 12 singles wins.