After snapping an 18-year losing streak to Ole Miss, the No. 21 men's tennis team (13-8, 5-5 SEC) has leveled its sights on Alabama (9-10, 2-8 SEC).
The Crimson Tide travels to the Plains to face the Tigers in the last regular-season SEC meet for both teams Saturday at 5 p.m.
"The Bama match is always big," said senior Tim Puetz. "I don't think it really matters too much how the season went coming up to the Bama match.
"It never matters much whether they've had a terrible SEC season or a really good one. It's a rivalry; it's always a game of its own."
Puetz, who ranks 15th nationally in singles, will face Alabama's Ricky Doverspike.
Puetz and freshman Daniel Cochrane, the 28th-ranked doubles team, will face the 76th-ranked duo of Doverspike and Jarryd Botha in doubles play.
Freshman Rafael Rondino said the team will practice hard this week for Alabama.
"We need to prepare, and I hope everyone will be here to watch," Rondino said.
Head coach Eric Shore said some of the players don't understand the Auburn-Alabama rivalry yet.
"But I think they're learning," Shore said. "It's not going to be a problem getting up for the match. We're going to be up for the match, and I know they will be too. We're looking forward to a challenge."
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