Feb. 28, 2008
NORMAL, Ill. -
The Illinois State women's tennis team will host its first home match of the season against Eastern Illinois, Friday, Feb. 29, at the Evergreen Racquet Club in Bloomington, Ill. The first serve is set for 7:30 p.m. The Redbirds enter the match with a 2-4 record and the Panthers at 5-0.
The Panthers have proved to be tight competition for the Redbirds in the past. Last spring, ISU beat Eastern Illinois 4-3. Head coach Chris Hoover expects the same level of competition.
"I'm glad we had the ability to play Eastern Illinois," said Hoover. "Luckily both of our schedules opened up, allowing us to fit this match in. Eastern Illinois is a good team. They always give us a good match."
ISU is returning to the courts after a week break from competition. In their last matches, the `Birds were topped by two nationally-ranked teams, falling to No. 40 UNLV, 7-0 and No. 62 Oklahoma State, 6-1.
Although the Panthers are not a nationally-ranked team, the Redbirds will face tough competitors in singles from the top of their lineup. Senior Sandra Sasidharan and junior Natalie Martin were both ranked in the top-10 in the Ohio Valley Conference in the preseason poll. Sasidharan, who plays at the No.1 spot, was ranked No. 1, while Martin, at the No. 2 position, was ranked No. 7.
