With its season off to a strong start, the Illinois State mens tennis team will host its first home matches of the season against Northern Illinois and Western Kentucky this weekend.
Head coach Greg Kennett feels that it could be a tight match with Northern Illinois.
Northern was a little down but the team is much improved with a real solid lineup and a motivated young coach, said Kennett.
Kennett anticipates a battle at No. 1 singles as Ricky Heath takes on Northerns Raymond van Wasbeek.
van Wasbeek was a real challenge for Heath in the fall, so the match could be a real struggle, said Kennett.
The Redbirds record appears to be closely matched with Western Michigan.
Western Michigans top three players are excellent, said Kennett. No. 2 singles Fernando Garcia was a tough win for Jason Smit last year, winning 6-4 in the third set.
Ricky Heath will pair with Yew Ming Si at No. 1 doubles while Jason Smit teams up with Brent Steven at No.2.
Play begins at 1:00 p.m. Saturday and 11:00 a.m. Sunday at the Evergreen Racquet Club.
