JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (April 1, 2009) - Just like it has done the past three seasons the ETSU men's tennis team has rolled through and over every Atlantic Sun Conference opponent its faced this season. Now after starting the year 6-0 in league play, the No. 59th-ranked Bucs will face its toughness test to date as they travel to conference rival Stetson for a 3:30 p.m., contest Thursday at the Mandy Stoll Tennis Center in Deland, Fla.

ETSU (8-7, 6-0 A-Sun) enters the contest with the Hatters after dominating all three of its matches last week. The Bucs made quick work of A-Sun members North Florida, Jacksonville and Mercer outscoring its three conference opponents 14-1. Overall, ETSU boast the highest singles, doubles and team ranking, in the ITA, among A-Sun members and is currently riding a 29-match league winning streak that dates back to April 14, 2006.

Individually, senior captain Enrique Olivares (Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela) leads the Buc attack after winning nine out of his last 10 singles matches. The No. 12-ranked singles player in the land is coming off his best performances of the season blowing past all three opponents last week, which in return earned him A-Sun Player of the Week honors, Wednesday afternoon. Also, along with fellow senior Alex Ahlgren (Tyreso, Sweden), the ETSU duo is currently the highest ranked doubles team in the league at No. 68 after starting the season with a 3-1 record in league play.

Stetson (16-4, 7-0) enters the contest after staying unbeaten in A-Sun action dropping Kennesaw State 4-0, Monday night. The Hatters have had an outstanding season joining ETSU in the ITA national rankings for most of the spring at No. 73. Individually, Stetson is led by Casare Gallo -who is 12-4 in singles - and teammates Filip Kricka and Maksim Levanonvich who boast a 12-3 doubles record.

Overall, the Bucs have outscored the Hatters 25-3 and leads the all-time series 5-0. In their last meeting ETSU eliminated Stetson during the 2008 A-Sun tournament semifinals, 4-0 at the Buddy Hartsell Tennis Center last April.

For more information on the ETSU men's tennis program please visit www.ETSUBucs.com