Women's tennis hosts three conference matches
04/13/2006 | 12:00:00 | Women's Tennis
April 13, 2006
By Lacole Hook
www.siusalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill, - The Southern Illinois women's tennis team will host their final home matches of the season this weekend. UNI, Drake and Creighton will all make the trip to Carbondale for matches Friday, Saturday and Sunday respectively.
The Salukis (3-9, 0-3) are still searching for their first Missouri Valley victory and looking to snap a four-match losing streak.
"The morale of the team is positive," Saluki tennis coach Rene Vidal said. "We're doing our best to learn from each match."
Vidal saw improvement in the doubles play over the last few games and hopes that will continue into the upcoming matches.
Laura Bredniak and Zoya Honarmand paired in doubles play to defeat Ana Ines Exeni and Anna Egorova of Wichita State as well as Juliana Negosek and Julia Masotti of SEMO notching the only two doubles wins for the Salukis last weekend.
Bredniak also leads SIU with six singles wins this season.
"Our primary team goal is to consistently give our best effort and play to win," said Vidal. "More specifically however, we will be looking to better capitalize on opportunities in doubles."
UNI comes in at 12-4 overall and 2-2 in the MVC. The panthers won their last match against Bradley 5-2. Drake is coming off a heartbreaking 4-3 loss to Illinois State that dropped their record to 10-9 and 4-3 in conference play. Meanwhile, Creighton (9-7, 0-5) is on a three-game losing streak of their own falling to Indiana State, Bradley and Illinois State.
Times for the matches are 2 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. Sunday. All games are scheduled to be played outside on the University Courts. In case of inclement weather the games will move to the indoor courts at Sports Blast.
"We are looking forward to competing at home in front of our supporters and tennis fans," Vidal said.