Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Women's Tennis wraps up March with trio of matches
03/22/2010 | 12:00:00 | Women's Tennis
March 22, 2010
www.SIUSalukis.com
MATCH INFORMATION
Date(s): March 24, 26, & 28
Location: Carbondale, Ill.; Martin, Tenn.
Site(s): University Courts; Varsity Courts
Head Coaches: Audra Nothwehr (36-25 overall and at SIU); Mark Elliott (19-56 overall and at Southeast Missouri State); Christine Bader (7-3 overall and at Evansville); Dennis Taylor (451-406 overall and at UT-Martin) - 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 36-25 (.590) 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 March with a trio of matches - two of which will be in Carbondale. Southern begins the week with a 3 p.m. match Wednesday against Southeast Missouri State. The Dawgs will then open up their MVC slate against Evansville Friday, followed by a trip to Tennessee to take on UT-Martin in a make-up match from last week.
SCOUTING SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE
The Redhawks have struggled so far this season, as they have a 2-8 mark heading into this week. Led by fourth year coach Mark Elliott, SEMO's two wins have come against Niagara and Tennessee State. The Redhawks feature only one senior in Flora, Ill., native Elise Nattier, while freshman Nikole Novikova leads the team with four singles wins.
SCOUTING EVANSVILLE
The Purple Aces have exceeded expectations thus far in 2010. Evansville has bolted out to a 7-3 mark after finishing last season with a 10-10 record. First year head coach Christine Bader guides the Purple Aces, whose only road losses have come against Big Ten schools Indiana and Michigan State. Junior Kate Chybowski has posted a 10-0 record in top singles for UE.
SCOUTING UT-MARTIN
The Skyhawks hold a 4-3 record thus far, including wins over Lipscomb and Tennessee State. Longtime head coach Dennis Taylor directs the UTM squad that will only be playing their third home match when they face the Salukis. UTM features four freshmen on their seven-player roster.
THE LAST TIME...
Southern defeated SEMO, UE, and UT-Martin last season to finish out March, outscoring the three teams by a combined 19-2 margin.
MVC OPENERS
The Salukis are 2-0 under head coach Audra Nothwehr in conference openers. In both instances, the Salukis have defeated Evansville, winning 6-1 in 2008 and 5-2 in 2009. The last time Southern dropped a conference opener was in 2006, when they fell to UE, 4-3.
MARCH-ING ON TO VICTORY
Southern has posted a 6-1 mark so far in the month of March, with their only loss coming on the road to Tulane. Last season, the Dawgs were 7-2 in March, which they capped off with a five match-winning streak.
THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME
Carbondale has become a formidable locale for opposing teams, as the Salukis now hold a 17-4 mark at home since Nothwehr took over the program in 2006-07. In addition, the team has won nine straight and 13 of their last 14 while in Carbondale.
