March 28, 2007
NORMAL, Ill. -
The Illinois State women's tennis team begins its quest for an unprecedented fifth-consecutive Missouri Valley Conference crown on Thursday when it takes on Bradley in Peoria, Ill. The conference opener for both teams is set for 4 p.m. at the Markin Tennis Courts. If rain occurs, the match will be moved indoors.
Though the `Birds (5-6) struggled during non-conference action, dropping six of seven matches after winning the first three, the team feels poised to make another run at the Valley's top spot after routing UW-Milwaukee on Sunday, 6-1.
"We have a talented team that has the potential to compete for a championship," head coach Chris Hoover said. "We just haven't been able to put it all together yet this season. This week is a great opportunity to get back on track and right ourselves."
If the `Birds are to contend for the Valley title once again, they will look to their veteran players to lead the way. Junior Carolyne Parent, who has been a regular in the Redbird lineup the past two seasons, has been dominant of late winning three straight and eight of her last 10. The St.-Jean Sur Richelieu, Quebec, native leads the team with 15 singles victories.
Other experienced players from ISU's prior championship teams that will be counted on heavily are seniors Katri Miller and Matea Simovic as well as junior Véronique Parke-Bédard. Parke-Bédard and Miller both have won double-digit matches this season, 11 and 10, respectively, while Simovic has been solid, winning four contests at the No. 6 spot in the lineup.
"Our returners are the backbone of this team," Hoover said. "Hopefully they are prepared to compete for the Valley title again. It's tough to win a conference championship no matter how much experience you have."
The Braves (5-9) are in the midst of a six-match losing skid of their own. During the team's spring break trip (March 20-22), Bradley lost all three matches including a pair of 7-0 sweeps against Coastal Carolina and College of Charleston. The Braves have faced five similar opponents as the Redbirds: Eastern Illinois, DePaul, Saint Louis, UW-Milwaukee and Western Michigan. They have lost all five contests.
Illinois State returns to action this weekend with a pair of matches. On Saturday at 11 a.m., the `Birds conclude their six-match road trip at Creighton. Sunday marks ISU's first home contest since Mar. 4. The Redbirds will host 66th-ranked Indiana State at the McCormick Courts in Normal, Ill., at 1 p.m.
