Sept. 25, 2008
NORMAL, Ill. -
Junior Natalia Lech will make her Redbird debut as the Illinois State women's tennis team competes at the UNLV Invitational Friday at the Fertitta Tennis Complex.
Lech went undefeated for two seasons in singles play at Toronto before she transferred to Illinois State prior to the 2008-09 season.
Senior Tanja Hrovatic, junior Julia Zubkova, sophomore Carmen Peters, freshman Franziska Steinhardt and freshman Hannah Esker are set to join Lech as the Redbirds make their first appearance at the three-day invitational.
Previously, the Redbirds competed at the Mizzou Tiger Invitational where Esker captured the Flight B consolation title.
Illinois State will face Missouri again at this weekend's invitational along with Northern Arizona, Oklahoma State and UNLV.
According to head coach Chris Hoover, the Redbirds will have to step up their game this weekend at UNLV due to the competitive field.
"Every school at the tournament is full of high-caliber players," said Hoover. "Illinois State is no exception. We just need to prove we have what it takes to compete at that level."
Play continues Saturday and is set to conclude Sunday afternoon.
