NORMAL, Ill. – After a close match against Southern Illinois last Saturday, Illinois State travels to Kanas City, Missouri, to face UMKC for the first time since the 2004-05 season followed by Missouri Valley Conference challenger Wichita State the next day.
"This weekend is going to be a big challenge for the guys as we will face the most recently crowned WAC champions in UMKC," head coach Mark Klysner said. "They are riding on a lot of confidence, but if we play up to our potential, then I think we can earn a nice win against them. Wichita is always a tough match as they are nationally ranked each year, however, we have always given them a battle on the courts. The team and I really believe we can go into their home and come out with a win. The guys are starting to pick up their level of play, so this should be a fun weekend."
Since Klysner took over the Illinois State Men's Tennis program in 2013, this will be his first time coaching the Redbirds against the Kangaroos. The series versus Wichita State goes back to the 1980-81 season, with ISU tallying a 9-24 record against the Shockers. The Shockers currently feature one nationally ranked individual and two nationally ranked doubles teams.
Players to watch this week are the twosome of Dylan Steffens and Christoffer Greve. Steffens is currently sporting a 16-1 dual singles record to lead the team, while adding to his overall season record of 23-6. Doubles partner and teammate Greve ranks second in dual singles victories, with a 14-3 mark, and an overall season record of 20-6.
The match versus UMKC is set to begin Friday at 12 p.m. in Kansas City, Missouri. On Saturday, competition will continue at 11 a.m. as Illinois State faces Wichita State in Wichita, Kansas.
For updates during matches follow @RedbirdMTEN on Twitter.
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