Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Salukis conclude home stand against Arkansas State on Friday
02/25/2016 | 12:00:00 | Women's Tennis
Drew Hoffman
SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois will play host to Arkansas State for the second time this season on Friday, concluding the Salukis' five-match home stand. SIU faced ASU the first time at the Saluki Fall Invite in October. Due to the format, however, the two teams only played three doubles matches and one singles match.
The women's tennis team is coming off a successful weekend at home, winning three of four matches to move to 7-4 on the season. The team is currently 3-1 at home and is 15-2 in home matches over the last two seasons.
"I think our depth is definitely helping us," SIU head coach Audra Anderson said. "I think our top players are starting to play like top players, which helps us against all kinds of teams. It's always great to win at the top because it trickles down to the other matches. I think the team is really understanding what they need to do get it done."
Last week the message to the team was to improve in doubles play, and the Salukis responded, winning three of the possible four doubles points over the weekend. This week's message from Anderson is to focus on technique and footwork.
"Each team has to find out what works well for them, finding what's comfortable for them," Anderson said. "We've been working on more individual things this week, especially earlier in the week. Staying low and coming quick out of the corners are a few of them. Tweaking those little things early gets their confidence back up before the matches."
In the last seven meetings against Arkansas State, the Salukis are 2-5, trailing in the team's recent series. Last year, however, SIU was able to win in Jonesboro, Ark., topping the Wolves 5-2. Arkansas State is 0-4 on the season so far, most recently falling 4-1 to Central Arkansas.
"We normally go back and forth with these guys. Arkansas State is a competitive team, with a great coach," Anderson said. "Last year was the first year we won on their home ground, so hopefully, we're pulling ahead a little bit with the squad we have now."
The match is scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m. on Friday at Garden Grove Events Center in Carbondale.
