The Illinois State womens tennis team opens its spring season Saturday with a match against Kansas at the Wood Valley Racquet Club in Topeka, Kan. Head coach Chris Hoover expects tough competition from the Jayhawks, but believes if the Redbirds come to play they can beat the Big 12 foe.
Im looking forward to starting off this season, said Hoover. Weve got an exciting opportunity to play Kansas, its always fun to play the Big 12 schools, and I think if we play well we can take them.
The defending Missouri Valley Conference champion Redbirds had a long break over the holidays, but after a week of tough practices Hoover is confident in the skill of his team, and believes the doubles matches will be the key to winning at Kansas.
We have good solid senior leadership on this team, said Hoover. Weve also got really tough players. I think the key to winning over Kansas will be our doubles. Were a strong and deep team and if we can start off taking those doubles matches it will fuel us for the singles.
Tennis action at the Wood Valley Racquet Club is slated to begin at 11 a.m.
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