KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Following a tough 15-match non-conference slate, the IUPUI men’s tennis team begins Summit League play this weekend when it takes on South Dakota State and Kansas City in Kansas City, Mo.

IUPUI begins with a match against the Jackrabbits on Saturday, March 23, before finishing the weekend against the preseason conference favorite Kangaroos at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 24.

“This weekend, we go on the road to start our conference season. We have competed against several quality opponents this spring, and we expect the same heading into our matches this weekend,” head coach Brandon Currie said. “Conference matches offer a different level of pressure, and the teams that usually win seem to handle that pressure a lot better. There will be lots of close matches, but the team that embraces that challenge and handles adversity will come out on top. I believe we have gone through several tests this year and the guys are ready to step up and get it done.”

Last season, IUPUI defeated both South Dakota State and Kansas City during the regular season, before falling to the Kangaroos in the Summit League championship match.

The Jags enter with a 2-13 overall record, but IUPUI has seen increased production at the top of its lineup recently as Jason Jaruvang has won four of his last five matches at the No. 1 singles spot. After earning a three-set win last weekend at the top spot against Wright State, Jaruvang was named the Summit League Player of the Week for the first time in his career.

The Jackrabbits are 5-8 on the season, but have played better tennis as of late winning three of their last four matches. Prior to meeting IUPUI on Saturday, SDSU will square off with Kansas City on Friday, March 22.

The Kangaroos have three all-conference performers from a season ago back in action this season. UMKC owns a 2-7 record entering the weekend, but the ‘Roos earned a win in their last match back on March 10 against former Summit League foe Oral Roberts.