TAHLEQUAH, Okla. -- Both Northeastern State tennis programs will open their seasons Friday with neutral-site matches against UT Tyler at 11 a.m. in Edmond.

The NSU women's team has already seen unofficial action this spring in exhibitions against Wyoming and Missouri State. The men's program returns to competition for its first dual match since the 2000 NCAA postseason.

The RiverHawks face a tall task against the nationally ranked Patriots. UT Tyler's women are ranked No. 18, while the men's team enters the season at No. 7 in the ITA rankings. The NSU men will meet UT Tyler for the first time, while the women's team last played the Patriots in 2021, falling 6-1. First serve is scheduled for 11 a.m. in Edmond.

NSU will then make a quick turnaround and travel to Springfield, Missouri, to face both Drury programs at noon Saturday. Both Drury teams are unranked in the preseason ITA poll.

The NSU men last faced Drury in 1999, playing three times that season, including a meeting in the NCAA Tournament. According to available records, NSU is 6-2 all-time against the Panthers.

The NSU women's team is 17-4 against Drury since 1993, with 10 of those wins coming via sweep.