IRVINE, Calif. – A pair of nationally-ranked Concordia University Irvine programs will get the chance to face-off against top competition multiple times this weekend.

Ranked No. 14 in the Oracle Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) rankings, the CUI men's tennis team will make its first appearance at the ITA Division II National Team Indoor Championship out in Oklahoma City, Okla.  

The Eagles are slated to face No. 7 Drury in the first round on Friday, Feb. 26 at 12:30 p.m. PT.  CUI is seeded fifth with Drury seeded fourth. Last year, Hawaii Pacific represented the PacWest Conference in this eight-team tournament. 

CLICK HERE for Live Scoring of the ITA Tennis Matches This Weekend

No. 1 seed Columbus State returns as defending champion and could be CUI's second-round opponent if the Eagles defeat Drury.  Columbus State is facing the tournament host – Midwestern State – in the opening round.

CUI's Saturday and Sunday tennis opponents will be determined as the ITA bracket falls.  The winners will advance to play each other while the losing squads move to the consolation bracket.  All eight squads will play three times over the course of the tourney.

Yassine Smiej was recently named the PacWest Men's Tennis Player of the Week.  Including the exhibition win over Westmont, Smiej has not lost a match at the No. 1 singles position this year.  He and teammate Mike Jansen have also displayed some fine chemistry at the No. 1 doubles slot.

CLICK HERE for a look at the ITA Division II Men's Bracket

The CUI softball team also has a rare opportunity this weekend and will be playing a high-caliber opponent outside the Southern California region.

Ranked No. 11 in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) DII Poll, the Green and Gold made their way to Las Vegas, Nev. where they will face No. 10 Oklahoma Christian in a three-game series at Faith Lutheran High School.  The highly-anticipated series opener between undefeated ranked squads is slated for Friday evening at 6 p.m. PT before a Saturday doubleheader that begins at 12 p.m. PT.

CLICK HERE to follow Live Stats of No. 11 CUI Softball's series vs. No. 10 Oklahoma Christian

The Eagles are off to a 2-0 start after winning their home opener and their first home night game against Vanguard.  All-American pitcher Callie Nunes racked up 10 strikeouts and tossed a complete game in the first win of the year. Sydney Sprinkle and Missy Nemeth also showed off their power by smacking a home run.

Oklahoma Christian enters this series an impressive 7-0 and moved up from No. 12 in the NFCA rankings to No. 10 this past week.  OC also has an Eagles mascot and has scored at least 10 runs in three of their last five wins.

CLICK HERE for the full 2021 CUI softball schedule.

CLICK HERE for the full 2021 CUI men's tennis schedule.

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