Jan. 25, 2007
NORMAL, Ill. -
The quest for a fifth-consecutive Missouri Valley Conference crown begins Friday, as the Illinois State women's tennis team opens its spring dual-match season against in-state rival Eastern Illinois. First serve between the `Birds and the Panthers is scheduled for 7 p.m. and will take place at the Evergreen Racquet Club in Bloomington, Ill.
The `Birds, who last competed in October at the Missouri Tiger Four-Way, will be looking to improve on last season's 13-6 record, which included an 8-1 mark in Valley action giving them a tie for the conference regular-season title.
Head coach Chris Hoover, who enters his 12th season at the helm of the Redbird women's tennis program, likes the makeup of his team as dual matches start and sees the potential in a squad that can once again compete at a high level.
"We're a very talented and capable team," Hoover said. "I'm looking forward to see who will step up as we begin non-conference play. We have great depth that will give us a lot of options in our lineup throughout the season."
At the No. 1 spot in the lineup, Hoover knows he can count on senior Katri Miller, who went 19-10 in 2006 competing as team's No. 1 player. The Tallinn, Estonia, native went 7-6 in the fall with victories over Missouri's Amanda Pratzel and Iowa State's Caitlin Loprinzi. Miller also stands as one of the team's best doubles players, pairing up in the fall with junior Véronique Parke-Bédard, senior Matea Simovic and freshman Julia Zubkova to register eight total wins.
"This is a big senior season for Katri," Hoover said. "She knows the expectations of this team and has great experience. We look for her to be one of our leaders."
The Redbirds kick off the 2007 campaign with Eastern Illinois, guided by second year head coach John Blackburn. Last season, the Panthers went 6-15 overall, including a 2-8 record in the Ohio Valley Conference.
Friday's contest is the first of a four-match homestand to begin the season. The Redbirds will return to the ERC on Fri., Feb. 9, at 7 p.m. against Butler.
