Sept. 6, 2006
NORMAL, Ill. -
Head coach Chris Hoover and his defending Missouri Valley regular season champion women's tennis team are set open their season Friday at the Billiken Fall Classic in St. Louis, Mo. The Classic will consist of five teams sending their best players to compete in singles and doubles flights at Saint Louis' Billiken Tennis Center.
After earning four-consecutive MVC crowns, the Redbirds hope to stay on top this upcoming season. The Billiken Fall Classic will be the first stop in testing their skills.
The `Birds will head to the tournament as the only team to have earned two championship crowns, one in flight A singles and the other in flight B doubles, in St. Louis last season.
"We're looking forward to dusting off the cobwebs this weekend and getting back in the swing of things," said Hoover. "I look forward to seeing who's in tennis shape and ready to go. This tournament will help in determining that."
With four returning players, seniors Katri Miller and Matea Simovic, and juniors Carolyne Parent and Véronique Parke-Bédard, Hoover thinks the tournament should help in preparing the `Birds for the rest of the season.
Joining the `Birds at the Classic as an addition will be freshman Jeanelle Stines of Mesa, Ariz.
"As well as expecting some good results from our returning senior Katri Miller, I am really looking forward to seeing Jeanelle Stines play," said Hoover. "She (Stines) had a solid sectional ranking and is a really good ball striker."
The Classic's field will consist of competitors from Arkansas, Eastern Illinois, Missouri and Saint Louis. First serve is set to begin Friday at 9 a.m. with the Classic concluding on Saturday.
