Jason Smit will attempt to become the all-time doubles leader in wins this weekend as the Illinois State mens tennis team faces off against Missouri Valley Conference foes Drake (7-9, 3-0) and Creighton (5-11, 1-2) this weekend.
Smit has 80 career doubles wins, leaving him one behind the current leader Mike Miller. Smit is also making a run at the top of the all-time singles win total. He passed Nebo Kirigin by beating SMSs Nenad Curcic, on April 4, to put him into third place on the all time wins list.
Coach Greg Kennett acknowledges Smits importance not only to the success of Redbird tennis this year, but also throughout his entire career.
Smit has been a great player here for four years, said Kennett. He has won a lot of matches and has been an excellent competitor and team member for a long time.
Although Smit is making a run at the record books, his Redbird teammates are making a run of their own at the Valley regular season championship. The Birds set alone in third place in the conference and are only one game behind leader Indiana State with four conference matches remaining.
Kennett realizes that this weeks match-up with Drake could be a determining factor as to where the Birds finish this season in the conference standings.
The match-up against Drake will probably determine how we finish in the conference, expressed Kennett. The bottom half of our team is probably better than Drake, but on the road it will be a tough match.
The match against Drake is set for April 12 at 1 p.m. in Des Moines, Iowa, at the Drake Tennis Center. The Creighton match is slated for April 13 in Omaha, Neb., at the Hanscom Tennis Courts.
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