ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – After more than a month away from competition, Missouri Western tennis (3-3) is back home for three matches this weekend.

The action starts Friday at noon, as Missouri Western hosts Southern Arkansas for the final non-conference match of the season at Genesis Health Club.

On Saturday, Missouri Western has its MIAA opener against Fort Hays State on Saturday at 11 a.m. and a bout with No. 14 Nebraska-Kearney on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday's matches are set to take place outside at the Noyes Tennis Courts.

In the event of weather, Saturday and Sunday's matches would be moved indoors to Genesis Health Club and both matches would start at 8 a.m. if it rains.

Missouri Western was last in action on Feb. 20, taking a 5-2 loss against McKendree in St. Joseph. The Griffons were slated to play Cowley College in Topeka on March 8, but that match was canceled.

In the match against McKendree, the Bearcats took No. 1 and No. 3 doubles, and also picked up wins in No. 2, No. 4, No. 5 and No. 6 singles.

Missouri Western's Johanna Priedite and Maeva Roguet picked up a 6-3 win in No. 2 doubles.

Cristina Granero Boj gave Missouri Western a win in No. 1 singles. She lost the first set 6-2, but came back to win the next two 6-4, 6-4.

Celia Castaño Malnero won her No. 3 singles match 6-3, 6-2.

Southern Arkansas (9-6) has had a busy, but successful week with 4-0 wins over Southwest Baptist and Rockhurst on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively, and then a 5-2 win at Northwest on Thursday.

Fort Hays State (9-2) has had a terrific start to the season, now winners of eight straight matches. Nebraska-Kearney (10-3) has been stout as expected, picking up six shutout wins already this season.

UNK, who won the MIAA regular season title last season, reached the Elite Eight last season for the first time in program history.