Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Salukis to play in Champaign Challenger this weekend
10/08/2015 | 12:00:00 | Men's Tennis
By Tony McDaniel
SIUSalukis.com
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Following a short break, the Saluki men's tennis team will be back in action this weekend for the Champaign Challenger in Champaign, Ill.
The Champaign Challenger is a United States Tennis Association event that features tennis players from the high school level all the way to pro tennis players. The Salukis are entered into the pre-qualifying draw for the weekend's event. This is the first time SIU has competed in the Champaign Challenger since 2013.
SIU is using the Champaign Challenger as an opportunity to gain valuable playing time prior to next weekend's ITA Central Regional in Fayetteville, Ark.
"We've only played one tournament as a full team so far, the Purdue Invite," head coach Dann Nelson said. "We needed another one to get some more experience. I'm excited to see what the guys can do in this tournament."
The Salukis will take every player on the roster except senior Jonny Rigby and junior Michal Kianicka. Rigby and Kianicka played as recently as Tuesday at the ITA All-American in Tulsa, Okla. This weekend's event will be the first time that sophomore Shane Trebisky plays in a match setting for the Salukis.
"We're excited to see Shane play in his first tournament as a Saluki," Nelson said. "It's definitely important for him to get a few matches in before the regional tournament."
The Salukis will be playing in a diverse field this weekend. Nelson expects to see teams like Illinois and Illinois State in the pre-qualifying draw, but said he has also seen high school players and college assistant coaches play in the Champaign Challenger before.
The Champaign Challenger begins Friday.
Players Mentioned
