Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Women's Tennis closes out February in Tennessee
02/22/2010 | 12:00:00 | Women's Tennis
Feb. 22, 2010
www.SIUSalukis.com
MATCH INFORMATION
Date(s): February 26
Location: Clarksville, Tenn.
Site(s): Governors Tennis Center
Head Coaches: Audra Nothwehr (30-23 overall and at SIU); Malik Tabet (90-53 overall, 4-2 at Austin Peay) - Division I only
Saluki Assistant Coaches: Ame Blacketer (Graduate Assistant); Fadzai Mawisire
NET NOTES
The Southern Illinois Women's Tennis team is in its 35th year of existence... Head Coach Audra Nothwehr is in her third season with the team and holds a 30-23 (.566) mark with the Salukis... Last season, SIU finished with a 17-8 record and were 5-3 in MVC play, finishing third... The Salukis advanced to the MVC Tournament semi-finals before bowing out to Northern Iowa... The Salukis 17-8 record was their best since 2000, when they finished with a 16-6 mark (.727).
ON THE SCHEDULE THIS WEEK
The Salukis close out February with a road match on Friday against the Lady Govs of Austin Peay. The two squads will hit the courts at 2 p.m. in the Governors Tennis Center.
SCOUTING AUSTIN PEAY
The Lady Govs currently sit at 4-2 on the season, already doubling their win total from a year ago when they went a dismal 2-17. Of their four wins, three have come in Clarksville. Austin Peay is coached by Malik Tabet, who previously coached at Indiana State before coming to APSU. The Lady Govs are led by Mariana Pagan, who is a perfect 4-0 in singles this season.
SAME FACE, NEW PLACE
The Salukis will see a familiar face Friday in APSU head coach Malik Tabet, who was the coach at MVC rival Indiana State before the Sycamores cut their tennis programs. Tabet holds a 1-1 record against Audra Nothwehr-led SIU teams, including last season's 5-2 Saluki win in Carbondale.
THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME
With last Saturday's win over Tennessee Tech in the books, the Salukis now hold a 13-4 mark at home since Audra Nothwehr took over the program in 2006-07. In addition, the team has won nine of their last ten while in Carbondale..
OVC OVERLOAD
This season's women's tennis schedule has already featured three opponents from the Ohio Valley Conference (Eastern Kentucky, SIU-Edwardsville, Tennessee Tech). Yet, that trend won't be coming to an end very soon, as the Dawgs will take on five more OVC squads within the next month.
ROAD WOES
The Salukis enter Friday looking for their first road win of the season, as they currently sit at 0-3. Southern has not had a road-losing streak longer than three matches since 2006, when the team went ten straight matches without a W.
