DENVER – The MSU Denver men's and women's tennis programs aren't letting up.
 
Counting exhibition play, the men have played three straight NCAA Division I teams, while the women have played two Division I teams and one of the top teams in the region in their last three duals.
 
Now, both will play three duals against nationally-ranked NCAA Division II teams this weekend in Wichita Falls, Texas, and the women will play a fourth matchup against another highly-regarded foe.
 
"It's high-level competition," Metropolitan State University of Denver coach Josh Graetz said. "It's a great weekend to see where we're at against some Division II competition. We've been playing a lot of Division I opponents, especially on the men's side."
 
It starts at 3 p.m. MST Thursday as the teams play their counterparts and hosts from Midwestern State (Texas), both ranked No. 15 nationally. On Friday, the 8 a.m. MST opponent is Cameron (Okla.), which is tied for 20^th in the men's national rankings, followed by 2 p.m. MST meetings with against Southwest Baptist (Mo.), ranked tied for 13^th on the men's side and tied for 20^th among the women.
 
The weekend wraps up Saturday at 8 a.m. MST, when the women play 12^th-ranked Angelo State (Texas).
 
Graetz said playing, and often playing well, against Division I foes has helped his teams. He said his teams would be in the top 50, perhaps even in the 30s, if the rankings extended that far.
 
"I think it gives the players confidence, knowing that we can hang with some of the better teams in Division I," Graetz said. "And these matches this weekend won't be easy matches by any means. They'll be closely contested. It'll be a matter of executing in the big moments."
 
On the men's side, No. 1 singles player Daniel Llorente is 9-1, counting the fall portion of the schedule, and is coming off a solid 6-4, 6-2 win over the No. 1 player from Division I Montana State. At 41-13 for his career, he recently moved ahead Graetz for sixth in program history with a career winning percentage of .759.
 
"He's playing at a high level," Graetz said. "I'm really excited for him. The great thing with him is that he's never satisfied. Even after a big win he'll come into my office and ask me what he's not doing right. That's pretty rare. After a big win, people are usually pretty satisfied. He never is."
 
Freshman Brooklyn Ross and senior Tabitha Porter have led the women, compiling records of 10-3 and 9-3, respectively. Porter is the women's program's all-time leader with 76 wins.
 
"Both of those girls are just grinders on the court, and could stay out on court for two days," Graetz said. "They're competitors who want to win every single time."


The Roadrunners are looking to win as many duals as possible this weekend, as each potential victory will be important as MSU Denver tries to reach the NCAA Tournament as an independent team before shifting to the Pacific West Conference for tennis next year.
 
"We're there to win in every match we play," Graetz said. "So we don't have a set goal of how many we want to win. I think that takes care of itself if we are there to compete in every match.
 
"I think every match is going to be tight throughout the whole week. So it's important that we start strong in doubles. A lot of times that sets the tone."