Southern Illinois University
Drake University
Women's Tennis roughs up Drake, 4-0
04/23/2010 | 12:00:00 | Women's Tennis
April 23, 2010
By Michael Benson
www.SIUSalukis.com
WICHITA, Kan.-The Saluki women's tennis team opened the 2010 Missouri Valley Conference Tennis Championships with a bang Friday in Wichita, Kan., sweeping the Drake Bulldogs, 4-0.
Southern Illinois advances to one of tomorrow's two semifinals, where they will face Illinois State. The Redbirds defeated the Dawgs on April 4 in Normal, Ill., 5-2.
The win also gives Southern a second consecutive semifinal appearance in the MVC tournament.
"We were excited get this win 4-0 today," said Saluki head coach Audra Nothwehr. "Melanie finally got to compete against the second best freshman in the conference, so that was an exciting win for her."
"We are pumped for our rematch with Illinois State tomorrow."
The Salukis repeated their performance from almost two weeks ago against Drake, as they handled the Bulldogs in both singles and doubles.
Melanie Delsart, who was named the MVC Freshman of the Year Thursday, more than lived up to the hype in her No. 1 singles match, as she defeated Manca Krizman 6-4, 6-1. She has now won five of her last six matches, dating back to April 10.
Seniors Michela Cruise and Jessica Flannery both notched singles wins for Southern. Cruise, playing in the No. 5 slot, made quick work of Amanda Aragon 6-3, 6-0. Meanwhile, Flannery also dominated, trouncing Earlynn Lauer 6-1, 6-2.
The Salukis began the day by nabbing the doubles point. Vianna Ce and Delsart teamed up to take down Manca Krizman and Gabriela Demos, 8-4, in top doubles. Second doubles saw Jennifer Dien and Flannery clinch the point with a 8-6 triumph over Jessica Labarte and Jessica Aguilera.
Southern will hit the courts again tomorrow at 10 a.m. for their semifinal match.
Players Mentioned
