It doesn't hurt that both teams are playing their best tennis of the season and will have some momentum heading into the three-day championship.
 
The Hornets (9-15/3-2 SWAC) may be riding one of the top runs in the program's history.  They have won seven of their past eight matches, including their last four as they enter the tournament looking for the program's first championship.
 
The men are on the cusp of double digit wins for what may also be the first time in the program's history.  They have also accomplished a first as they finished with a winning SWAC record for the second consecutive season.
 
"I feel like if they come out hot and play with a lot of energy and take the doubles point they have a chance to win the tournament," Head Coach Anuk Christiansz said.  "They have lost two important (conference) matches and I think that will help them come out and play with a lot of energy.  I am really looking forward to it.  It's a good team and they are fighting with a lot of passion."
 
ASU will face Arkansas-Pine Bluff in Friday's opening day action at 1 p.m.  They defeated the Golden Lions 7-0 back on Feb. 27 at the SWAC Round Up.
 
Takura Mlambo leads the team with a 9-7 overall record.  He has played both the one and two positions and has a 2-2 conference record.
 
Jarred Thompson has been a pleasant surprise for ASU this season with an 8-12 record, but enters the tournament undefeated in conference play at 4-0.  Ronald Mataba stands 7-13 and 3-1 in conference action.
 
Adam Coyne, who has been injured this season, has been regulated to mostly double's action.  He has teamed with Mataba to go 9-9 in doubles play and 2-1 in conference action.
 
The Lady Hornets (9-10/4-3), like the men, enter the tournament with a lot of momentum.  They have won eight of their past 13 matches and with a win in the tournament's opening round would reach double digit wins.  It would be the first time the Lady Hornets program has had back-to-back double digit win seasons.
 
ASU also has a 4-3 conference record, which is the most conference wins in a season in recent history.  The Lady Hornets will be looking to win their third conference championship after winning titles back in 1995 and 1999.
 
"On the girls side we have done well in the conference despite the injuries we have gone through and the fact we are a little short on depth," Christiansz said.  "They have competed so hard that anything could happen.  I am looking forward to trying to finish the season on a positive note for the girls."
 
Sophomore Irina Cvijovic heads the women's team with a 12-6 overall record going into the tournament.  She has won all of her conference matches carrying a 7-0 record into the weekend.
 
Two freshmen, Marine Cartier and Nicole Tekelova have made a difference in the lineup this season.  Tekelova has an 8-4 overall record and is 3-1 in conference play while Cartier has been fighting though a season-long injury but has still managed a 9-4 singles record and 3-2 record in the conference.
 
Cvijovic has teamed with Brankica Orlovic once again in doubles play this season.  The two were named All-SWAC as a doubles team last season and have picked up on that with a 6-7 overall record and 3-1 in the SWAC.
 
Arantxia Wijngaarde and Cartier have teamed in doubles to form a 9-7 overall record and are 3-3 in the conference.

ASU's first round opponent will be Grambling State, a team they defeated 7-0 on Feb. 28 at the SWAC Round Up.  Their match is scheduled for 9 a.m.
 
"I do see a progression in the programs since Coach Seman and I arrived," Christiansz said.  Like any coach you want the best ending in terms for the school and the team.  A conference championship is what we are striving for so they can leave here for the summer and feel good about all their efforts."
 
All of the tournament matches will be played at City Park in New Orleans.  There will be live tweets during the ASU matches at bamastatesports.com.