Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Salukis open spring season against Morehead State and Louisville
01/15/2015 | 12:00:00 | Women's Tennis
By Elizabeth Robinson
SIUSalukis.com
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - After a two-month hiatus from competitions, the Saluki women's tennis team begins the spring season this weekend facing Morehead State and Louisville on Friday and Saturday, respectively. Both matches will be played in Louisville, Ky.
The Salukis last meeting with Morehead State in 2011 resulted in a loss for SIU, but head coach Audra Anderson is confident in her team's ability to compete well this weekend.
"Morehead State is a good team, and when they beat us it was an upset. But we've been working hard to prepare for this weekend, so hopefully we can go in there with a little confidence and take them out," Anderson said.
Louisville may present a bigger challenge, according to Anderson, as the match will be played at the Cardinals' home court. Louisville is also ranked 63rd nationally. According to Anderson, playing a ranked team will help the Salukis step up and play at a higher level.
"With Louisville, we've got to go in there and make it close," Anderson said. "Hopefully we can go in there and swing away and take some games and maybe even take the match."
The Salukis concluded their fall season with two first-place finishes in their final competition, and three third-place finishes at the MVC Individual Championships. Doubles duo Natasha Tomishima and Meagan Monaghan came out strong, finishing the fall competitions with an 8-3 record at the No. 1 spot.
Freshmen Athena Chrysanthou and Hannah Wich had successful fall seasons as well, each finishing third in No. 3 and No. 7 singles, respectively, at the MVC Individual Championships.
This weekend, Tomishima, Monaghan and Chrysanthou will compete in the top singles positions for the Salukis. Tomishima and Monaghan, and freshman Vitoria Beirao and sophomore Polina Dozortseva will take the top spots in doubles.
SIU takes on Morehead State on Friday at 1 p.m., and will face Louisville on Saturday at 9 a.m.
Players Mentioned
