RICHMOND, Ky. – The EKU men's tennis team will look to defend its Ohio Valley Conference crown when it opens conference play this weekend.
 
The Colonels (10-9) host Austin Peay State University on Friday, before welcoming the Racers of Murray State to Tom Higgins Courts on Saturday for the second of the weekend's dual matches.
 
Alex Álvaro and Ramon van Flymen have won their last six matches at the No. 1 spot in doubles play. The duo was recently ranked 53rd in the nation by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association. The newest ranking saw the two climb from a previous ranking of 58th. 
 
Austin Peay enters Richmond with a 0-5 record this season. The Governors were shutout in last week's match, 7-0, in a loss at Virginia Commonwealth.
 
Murray State (2-5) brings a three-match losing skid to Tom Higgins Courts. The Racers dropped two matches last week, one of which was to 69th ranked South Carolina.
 
EKU posted an 8-1 mark in regular season play last year on its way to a share of the season title before notching its fourth OVC Tournament title.
 
The Colonels are 7-0 this season at home.