Feb. 2, 2006
NORMAL, Ill. -
The Illinois State men's tennis team will travel to Albuquerque, N.M. to compete against the No. 64 ranked Lobos (1-1) Friday, February 3. Over the weekend the `Birds will also battle No. 31 Boise State (1-3) and Sacramento State (0-0). The matches will be played at the Lobo Tennis Club.
As ranked teams New Mexico and Boise State are not the only credible teams ISU will face this weekend as. Sacramento State has won the Big Sky Conference Tournament five of the last seven years. Also, Boise State boasts nationally ranked individuals Luke Shields (No. 13), Brent Werbeck (No. 89), and doubles team Thomas Schoeck and Shields (No. 7).
In the Missouri Valley Conference Preseason Coaches Poll released Thursday, Illinois State was picked to finish second in the league race. The team received 58 points and three first place votes, just two points behind Drake.
Last weekend the `Birds took home three titles from the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Individual Championships. Illinois State also had seven players advance to the finals to Drakes five.
"It's nice to be seen as one of the top teams in the league," said head coach Greg Kennett. "The rankings don't mean a whole lot, but we can appreciate it. It really comes down to the conference season."
Kennett wants the team to carry the momentum to Albuquerque.
"This weekend is going to be a great opportunity to get a better look at our doubles teams and to get more experience and a better understanding of how to play better under pressure," said Kennett. "It will give us a chance to improve before the conference season. Right now we believe we can beat anyone. We expect to have Yohann (Nograbat) back and we are ready to go up against anyone."
Nograbat (1-1) will compete at the coveted No. 1 position while Luka Marinkovic, who is competing at the No. 6 spot this weekend, looks to protect his undefeated 5-0 singles record. Teammates Djordje Uskokovic (5-1) and Oscar Beich (4-1) will attempt to redeem themselves after coming off their first losses last weekend at the four and five flights, respectively.
The `Birds kick off the weekend on Friday at 7 p.m. against New Mexico.
