Jan. 30, 2008
NORMAL, Ill. -
The Illinois State Women's tennis team is set to begin their 2008 spring season this weekend in Lincoln, Neb. The Redbirds will face-off against Nebraska on Friday, February 1 and conclude the weekend competition against Colorado State on Saturday, February 2. Friday's action is set to begin at 4 p.m., while Saturday's match will begin at 11 a.m. Both matches will be held at the Nebraska Tennis Center.
This will be the first time the Redbirds have competed against the Huskers since 2003. Last time they met, the Huskers were ranked 54 in the nation and beat the `Birds 5-2. However, this season the Huskers have not been ranked as a team, but their doubles team of junior Imke Reimers and freshman Jana Albers is ranked. Head coach Chris Hoover expects great competition against Nebraska.
"Last time we competed against Nebraska we had some pretty good players on the team. Despite losing that match, we ended up winning the Missouri Valley Conference Championship and we went to the NCAA," said Hoover. "This year with where Nebraska stands and how our team has been practicing, it's going to be a good, tough match; which is all I am really hoping for. I hope we fight hard for our first match out, and then continue to do the same with Colorado State. I expect it to be good tennis all around."
This will also mark the first time in Illinois State Women's tennis history that the `Birds have competed against Colorado State in the spring season. The Rams finished their fall tournament season with a 42-57 record in singles and a 19-20 mark in doubles. Despite an overall losing record, Hoover expects the team to be fair competition for the `Birds.
"I have known the coach from Colorado State, Jon Messick, for as long as I have been coaching," said Hoover. "I know he has a well developed team, and that the matches will be fairly well matched."
This season Hoover leads a diverse team into competition. The Redbird roster includes freshmen Katie O'Riley, sophomores Carmen Peters and Julia Zubkova, and juniors Tanja Hrovatic and Andrea Muresan. Seniors Katri Miller, Caroyne Parent and Véronique Parke-Bédard will be leading the team on the court.
While the seniors may be looked at for advice on the court, Zubkova made her presence known in the fall by leading the team in singles wins with a 10-3 record. Senior duo Parke-Bédard and Miller ended the season with a 7-4 record. Overall, the `Birds completed the fall 2007 season with a 51-31 singles record and went 21-10 in doubles in five tournament matches.
