DENVER – The MSU Denver tennis teams will chase down their Pacific West Conference competition over the next week, with six duals in eight days that will help formulate potential qualification and seeding for the league tournament.
 
With no set conference schedule, the Roadrunners – affiliate members of the league for tennis only – have invited all full-time members of the league to come to Denver to play.
 
Only the Hawaii-Hilo men accepted this year.
 
But coach Bruno Campos has challenged his teams with a grueling schedule against tough competition in multiple-match scenarios to prepare them for playing teams from one of Division II's better tennis leagues.
 
"It's been challenging, but fun at the same time," Campos said. "Challenging because we're not getting the results we were hoping for, but it's been fun seeing us getting better and better. I'm excited to see us compete at that level to see where we're at and see if we can get some conference wins on the road.
 
"It's going to be tough, and every single dual is going to be a battle, but the kids really want to make it happen."
 
Hawaii-Hilo, which twice came from behind for 4-3 dual wins over then-No. 45 MSU Denver last week, moved into the national rankings at No. 39 this week. The Vulcans are among four ranked teams that have defeated the Roadrunners' men (No. 6 Washburn, No. 17 Lubbock Christian, No. 34 Northwest Missouri State and No. 42 Harding are the others).
 
The Roadrunners' men, led by Juho Kantola (ranked 33^rd in singles), are 4-7.
 
They'll play Friday at 4 p.m. MDT at No. 19 Azusa Pacific (Calif.), Saturday at 4 p.m. MDT at traditional power Biola (Calif.), Monday at 11 a.m. MDT at traditional power Concordia-Irvine (Calif.), Tuesday at 4 p.m. MDT at PacWest newcomer Westmont (Calif.), Wednesday at 10 a.m. MDT at Fresno Pacific (Calif.) and March 22 at 10 a.m. MDT in Fresno against No. 43 Point Loma (Calif.).
 
The Roadrunners' women, led by Emily Hafner (ranked 21^st in singles), are 3-8. Hafner is the highest-ranked singles player in the PacWest.
 
MSU Denver has suffered losses to No. 6 Washburn, No. 11 Lubbock Christian (twice), No. 34 Northwest Missouri State and No. 36 Augustana (S.D.).
 
The Roadrunners are also coming off an impressive 7-0 win over Fort Hays State (Kan.) that has boosted confidence and momentum.
 
"It was huge," Campos said. "It changed the who scenario for them, the whole mindset."
 
For the women on the trip, currently ranked opponents are No. 30 Azusa Pacific and No. 45 Concordia-Irvine.
 
They'll play APU at the same time as the men Friday, will play Biola at 1 p.m. MDT Saturday, play against CUI after the men (3 p.m. MDT) on Monday, play before the men (1 p.m. MDT) Tuesday against Westmont, after the men (noon MDT) against Fresno Pacific on Wednesday, then square off with Dominican (Calif.) in Fresno at 10 a.m. MDT on March 22.
 
The PacWest struggles to seed MSU Denver for its league tournament since it rarely plays the Roadrunners in duals and this grueling trip can provide some clarity, provided top teams don't postpone at the hint of rain.
 
Though the MSU Denver men again have Kantola, Jeanloup Auzias and Alejandro Jimenez playing well at the top of the lineup, Campos is looking for players to emerge at Nos. 4 through 6.
 
Eight teams qualify for the PacWest Tournament. Four of those teams eventually advance to the NCAA Tournament.
 
Twelve teams qualify for the PacWest women's tournament. There are more women's tennis teams in the league.
 
Getting there may not be as easy as it has been, but after this week, where the teams stand may become more clear. There are two off days scheduled during the trip.
 
"We've worked on playing back-to-back – when we went to Kansas City we played three duals in three days, and when we went to Texas we played a doubleheader after playing the day before," Campos said. "It's tough, but we're ready and prepared."