OXFORD, Ohio - The Miami University women's tennis team will face a tough test right out of the gate in Mid-American Conference play as the RedHawks (3-9) travel to face the two squads picked first and second in the conference preseason poll in Akron and Buffalo. The 'Hawks will head to the Rubber City to face the Zips Friday and continue the trek north for Sunday's match with the Bulls. Both matches are scheduled for 1 p.m. start times.

LAST TIME OUT
Miami put together a dominant performance in its non-conference finale, sweeping singles to beat Wright State 6-1 in Hamilton. After falling in the doubles point, Melati Devi and Milana Lysova got the RedHawks back in business with quick two-set wins. Brindtha Ramasamy and Emily Struble followed up with three-set come-from-behind victories to clinch the win for Miami, while Makenzie Myers and Priyana Kalita capped things off with wins of their own following the clinch. The win puts Miami's record to 3-9 after an extremely difficult non-conference schedule.

CLASH OF THE TITANS
This weekend's matches will feature pivotal contests between MAC contenders. The RedHawks, who entered the season ranked third in the conference preseason poll and are coming off a runners-up showing last season, will face the projected top two teams in the conference as Buffalo was tabbed for first and Akron was picked second.

MATCHUP WITH THE ZIPS
Akron, picked second in the 2019 MAC Preseason Poll, has gotten off to a 15-3 start to the season. The Zips' only losses have come at the hands of Pittsburgh, West Virginia, and Ohio State and UA will be on a six-game winning streak when the RedHawks and Zips meet Friday. Akron is led by Sophia Geier who holds an 11-1 record at first singles, while Miruna Vasilescu holds a 12-3 dual play record and occupies the second singles spot. The RedHawks defeated Akron by a 5-2 scoreline last year and are 26-3 all time against the Zips.

MATCHUP WITH THE BULLS
Buffalo, the defending Mid-American Conference champion, sits 11-3 on the year with their only losses to Duquesne, West Virginia, and Rutgers. The Bulls will face Bowling Green Friday in their MAC opener before hosting the RedHawks. Chantal Martinez Blanco leads the way for UB at first singles, where she holds a 9-4. Nikoleta Antoniou-Karademitrou sits 9-3 at second singles, while Pia Schwartz rounds out the top three. The Bulls got the best of the 'Hawks twice last season, winning 6-1 in the regular season and 4-2 in the MAC Championship Match. Miami still holds the all-time series lead, 18-9.

LOOKING FORWARD
The RedHawks will return back home after this weekend to continue conference play with a four-match homestand, starting with a match against Ball State on Friday, March 29 in Oxford. The match is slated for a 1 p.m. first serve.

To follow the RedHawks this weekend, stay tuned to MiamiRedHawks.com and follow @MiamiOH_Tennis on Twitter for updates.