Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Men's Tennis To Host Two MVC Matches This Weekend
04/07/2004 | 12:00:00 | Men's Tennis
April 7, 2004
By Dustin Thompson
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - After losing three Missouri Valley Conference matches last weekend the Salukis return to the courts in hopes of getting back on the winning track in conference play as they welcome Wichita State and Southwest Missouri State to the SIU Arena Tennis Courts on Friday, April 9 and Saturday, April 10.
The Salukis come into the weekend hoping to have all the injuries that plagued the Dawgs last weekend worked out. In last weekend's matches the Salukis had to pull out of three matches due to injuries. Junior Julian Angel Botero had to forfeit his No. 3 match up against Indiana State's RJ Nagel after he sustained an injury to his knee. Also having to pull out of match play last weekend was sophomore Bojan Ilievski, as Ilievski could not compete with a shoulder injury. SIU will need these two key players to be healthy to help them get back to .500 in conference play this weekend.
The Salukis will have their work cut out for them this weekend as they will face off against two very good MVC teams this weekend. On Friday the Salukis will do battle with the Shockers of Wichita State. Wichita State come into SIU with a 7-10 (1-0 MVC) record and looks to remain undefeated in MVC play. The Shockers are lead by Carlo Contente and Goran Vujoklija in singles play and look to Juan Esccalante and Gabriel Laredo to hold down the No. 1 doubles spot.
After Friday's match up the Salukis will then face the Bears of Southwest Missouri State. Missouri State comes into this weekend looking to capture their second MVC victory. The Bears are 1-2 in conference play and hope to get to .500 after their match with the Salukis. SMS defeated Creighton (6-1) but came up short against Drake (6-1) and Wichita State (4-3) in their first three matches in the Valley. The Bears are lead by Jiri Spousta in singles play as he holds down the No. 1 spot and count on Spousta and teammate Pavel Hanek to compete as their No. 1 doubles team.
Both this weekend's matches will be played at the SIU Arena Tennis Courts. Friday's match up with WIchita State will be played at 3:00 pm and Saturday's match against SMS will begin at 10:00 am. All results can be found at www.SIUSalukis.com
