The Prairie View A&M men's tennis team used its blistering non-conference schedule to its advantage against Southwestern Athletic Conference opponents in the first SWAC Roundup, going 4-0 against conference opponents.
 
Since their dominating performances on Feb. 24-25 in Jackson, Miss., the Panthers have face top-ranked opponents in No. 9 Seminole CC, No. 35 Baylor and a tough Southern Methodist team to get prepared for the SWAC Roundup that will be held in Baton Rouge, La. from March 30-31.
 
The Panthers look to remain undefeated in SWAC play, using their experience against premiere competition to their advantage.
 
“They know conference won't be as tough as what we're going through right now,” Cochran said. “We've played the No. 9 junior college in the nation. SMU is usually ranked in the Top 75. Then there's Baylor. We look good going into this roundup. It's just everybody has to show up at the same time. If they do that we will win.”
 
Though the Panthers have lost six-consecutive matches heading since the last roundup, they head into the roundup with a sense of confidence. Prairie View A&M's No. 1 singles player Ronald Chidzikwe is 3-1 against conference opponents, and the so is the doubles team of Chidzikwe and Kristen Powell. The Powell and Chidzikwe duo is 5-2 overall. No. 4 Trenton Johnson is 4-0 against SWAC competition. He and doubles partner Juan Pablo Robles are also undefeated in conference play as a team. Robles is 3-1 as the No. 3 singles player against the SWAC.
 
“They had a really good run in Jackson, winning all four matches,” Prairie View A&M tennis coach John Cochran said. “They've been playing competitive tennis. We just haven't been getting the wins. I know they've been taking a beat down. We've only got four wins, and that's hard. So we need these next two.”
 
The Panthers will face Alcorn State at 9 a.m. on Friday, March 30 and Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Saturday.
 
“We're going to have our work cut out for us,” Cochran said. “They're going to have to step up and play together from the beginning. I think if they do that then we have a great chance.”