Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Women's Tennis Prepare for Three Match Weekend
03/18/2004 | 12:00:00 | Women's Tennis
March 18, 2004
By Dustin Thompson
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Salukis need just one win this weekend to give head coach Judy Auld her 400th career victory at SIU. The Dawgs know this task won't be easy as they will be facing some stiff competition as they travel to Memphis, TN. for a three match road trip against Murray State, Arkansas Little-Rock, and Memphis.
The Salukis (5-3) kick off the weekend as they will face a streaking Murray State squad. Murray State (6-3) is on a four-match winning streak, but will play at New Orleans and Louisiana-Lafayette, before heading to Memphis to face the Salukis at 9 a.m. Friday. The three-time conference champions in the Ohio Valley Conference will be counting on senior Melissa Spencer to lead the Racers at the No. 1 spot while they will look to junior Jaclyn Leeper (4-4) to hold down the No. 2 spot.
After their 9 a.m. match with Murray State the Salukis will do battle with a very solid Arkansas Little-Rock team at 2:30 p.m. UALR (13-2) is lead by senior Ceclia Poveda who has posted an 8-5 mark at the No. 1 singles spot, while freshmen Jenna Hirdle who is 7-4 on the year will be playing at the No. 2 spot for the Lady Trojans.
The Dawgs will wrap up their three-match weekend as they take on host school Memphis on Saturday, March 20. Memphis (5-7) will look to senior Marlene Dirnstorfer (7-3) to lead the Lady Tigers to victory as she will do battle with SIU senior Alejandra Blanco (5-2) at the No. 1 singles spot.
The Salukis hope to keep their momentum high this weekend after coming away with two big victories last week as they were able to defeat Syracuse (4-3) and Youngstown State (7-0) at Orlando, FL. The Salukis are on pace to have their first winning season since 2000-01 when the team posted a 12-9 record.
All results for this weekend's matches can be found at www.SIUSalukis.com
