Women's Tennis to Play in MVC Individual Championships
10/01/2003 | 12:00:00 | Women's Tennis
Oct. 1, 2003
By Dustin Thompson
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The women's tennis team looks to pick up where it left off last weekend. The Salukis took home five championships last weekend at the Evansville Invitational and look to have similar when they play in the Missouri Valley Conference Individual Championships this weekend.
The MVC Championships will be held on the campus of Southwest Missouri State in Springfield, MO, at the Cooper Tennis Complex. The championshipis, which is set to begin on Friday, Oct. 3 and will continue to Oct. 5, will be made up of seven singles flights and three doubles flights.
Salukis head coach Judy Auld has a positive attitude going into the championships this year. "We have the capabilities to do a lot better this year. The team is much more relaxed and has a lot of confidence heading into the tournament," said Auld.
Juniors Zoya Honarmand and Zuzana Palovic look to continue playing well together in doubles competition at this weekend's tournament. "Zoya and Zuzana have a good chance in doubles, they got a good draw and played very well last weekend together," said Auld.
Auld also said seniors Alejandra Blanco and Tana Trapani came away with a decent draw and could be major contenders in doubles competition.
Auld is looking for Blanco, who plays at the No.1 spot, to make some noise in singles competition as well. "Alejandra has a good shot of making it to the semifinals in singles. I'm confident that she can hold her own with just about anyone in the conference."
Along with Blanco, Trapani has an opportunity to do well in singles, as long as she can stay healthy through the entire tournament. Trapani was out last year with a injured hip and hopes there will be no signs of injury this weekend.
Updates of the MVC IndividualChampionships will be posted on www.SIUSalukis.com after each day of tournament play concludes, or at www.smsbears.net.