Women's Tennis to host three matches in five days
04/05/2010 | 12:00:00 | Women's Tennis
April 5, 2010
www.SIUSalukis.com
MATCH INFORMATION
Date(s): April 7, 10-11
Location: Carbondale, Ill.
Site(s): Markin Tennis Courts; Gregory Street Tennis Courts
Head Coaches: Audra Nothwehr (39-26 overall and at SIU); Jonathan Zych (79-106 overall and at Saint Louis); Sachin Kirtane (99-64 overall and at Northern Iowa); Urska Juric (35-49 overall and at Drake) - 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 39-26 (.600) 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 conclude their home schedule this week with three matches in five days. The action begins on Wednesday, when Southern plays host to Saint Louis in a 3 p.m. match. The Dawgs continue MVC play Saturday with Northern Iowa, followed by Drake on Sunday for Senior Day.
SCOUTING SAINT LOUIS
The Billikens enter Wednesday's match with an 11-7 record, though all seven of their losses have come on the road. Eighth year coach Jonathan Zych guides the SLU women's tennis program, which is two wins away from equaling its win total from a year ago. Hailee Elmore, a native of Springfield, Ill., boasts a 17-1 record in top singles for the Bills.
SCOUTING NORTHERN IOWA
The Panthers have compiled a 9-7 mark overall and 2-1 record in the MVC in 2010. Head coach Sachin Kirtane, who is in his eighth year at the helm, will be looking for his 100th career victory with UNI when they face the Salukis. Leading the Panthers on the courts are Phoebe Walker, Sampada Kanade, and Jessica Kunzelmann, who have combined for 34 of Northern Iowa's 51 singles wins.
SCOUTING DRAKE
The Bulldogs' 2010 season has improved as of late, as they have won six of their last eight after starting the season 0-6. However, three of those wins have come at the hands of non-Division I schools. Fourth year head coach Urska Juric leads Drake, which is only 1-3 on the road this season. The Bulldogs feature only one upperclassman on their roster in junior Jessica Labarte.
THE LAST TIME...
Southern was 1-3 against these three schools last season, with their only win coming on April 7, 2009, against Saint Louis, 4-3.
SENIOR SALUTE
The Southern Illinois women's tennis team will honor three seniors - Michela Cruise, Jessica Flannery, and Martina Vianna Ce - from this year's squad before Sunday's match against Drake.
CAT SCRATCH FEVER
Not to be confused with the hit song by Ted Nugent, the Saluki women have struggled in the last two years against Northern Iowa. The Panthers are one of five teams to have defeated Southern in Carbondale since 2008 and knocked the second-seeded Salukis out of the MVC Tournament last season in Omaha, Neb.
PURE PERFECTION
With Saturday's 7-0 sweep over Bradley, it is now two straight seasons that the Salukis have won all nine matches against the Braves in a dual match. The last time Bradley won a match against Southern was April 18, 2008.
THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME
Carbondale has become a formidable locale for opposing teams, as the Salukis now hold a 19-5 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.
