Women's Tennis travels to central Illinois to open April
03/29/2010 | 12:00:00 | Women's Tennis
March 29, 2010
www.SIUSalukis.com
MATCH INFORMATION
Date(s): April 3-4
Location: Peoria, Ill.; Normal, Ill.
Site(s): Markin Tennis Courts; Gregory Street Tennis Courts
Head Coaches: Audra Nothwehr (38-25 overall and at SIU); Scott Petersen (36-86 overall and at Bradley); Chris Hoover (235-140 overall and at Illinois State) - 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 38-25 (.603) 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 begin April with a trip to central Illinois, where they will take on Bradley and Illinois State. The Dawgs will take on the Braves at 1 p.m. Saturday, then travel down I-74 to face Illinois State Sunday morning at 10 a.m.
SCOUTING BRADLEY
The Braves come into Saturday's match with a 5-8 mark on the season. Seventh year coach Scott Petersen heads the Braves program that has won three of their past five matches at home. BU lone MVC match on the season came on Friday, when they were swept by Illinois State.
SCOUTING ILLINOIS STATE
The Redbirds have gotten off to a blistering start to 2010, notching an 11-4 mark and a perfect 4-0 record in Normal. Longtime head coach Chris Hoover guides the ISU women's tennis program, which has finished in the top three in the MVC 12 of the last 15 seasons. Hannah Esker and Julia Zubkova pace the `Birds with 23 combined wins in singles.
THE LAST TIME...
Southern defeated both the Braves and the Redbirds last season, winning 7-0 and 5-2, respectively. Bradley has not defeated SIU in women's tennis since 2002.
LET'S GO STREAKING
The Salukis are currently in the midst of a five match winning streak - the second longest in program history since 2001. One more win would tie the record, which was set in 2007 and tied last year.
MARCH-ING ON TO VICTORY
Southern posted an 8-1 mark 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.
BESTING THE BRAVES
The Salukis have won the past seven matches against the Braves, dating back to 2003. Outside of a forfeit in 2002, the last time BU defeated Southern Illinois was in 1988.
THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME
Carbondale has become a formidable locale for opposing teams, as the Salukis now hold a 19-4 mark at home since Nothwehr took over the program in 2007-08. In addition, the team has won nine straight and 15 of their last 16 while in Carbondale.