April 9, 2009
Match Notes 
NORMAL, Ill. -
The Illinois State women's tennis team is gearing up for a full slate of Missouri Valley Conference play this weekend as it plays host to Valley opponents Northern Iowa Saturday (April 11) at 1 p.m., and Drake Sunday (April 12) at 10 a.m. Both matches will take place to the new Gregory Street Tennis Courts, weather permitting.
"The weather has not been cooperating with us this season," said head coach Chris Hoover. "We just want to be able to play outside this week. Northern Iowa and Drake are both strong competitors. We need to use the momentum from our win over Creighton last weekend (April 5) to help us this weekend."
The Redbirds improved their overall dual season record to 10-8 and 2-2 in Valley play after besting then-Valley leader Creighton, 6-1, Sunday (April 5). With the win, the Redbirds went 1-1 on the weekend. Then-No. 71 Wichita State defeated the Redbirds, 7-0, Friday (April 3), snapping Redbirds Hannah Esker's and Carmen Peters's nine-match doubles winning streak.
Northern Iowa's dual season record stands at 12-5 overall and 1-2 in Valley play. The Panthers are coming off a 4-3 win over Valley opponent Southern Illinois. The Panthers will travel to Indiana State Friday (April 10) before facing Illinois State Saturday (April 11).
The Drake women's tennis team is undefeated in Valley play so far this season. The Bulldogs are 3-0 in the Valley and 9-8 overall in dual play. The Bulldogs have won six-straight matches and are coming off a 5-2 win over Evansville Sunday (April 5). Drake will travel to Bradley Friday (April 10) and Indiana State Saturday (April 11) before facing the Redbirds Sunday (April 12).
Illinois State leads the all-time series over Northern Iowa, 20-3. The last time these two teams met was April 4, 2008, where the Redbirds bested the Panthers, 5-2.
The Redbirds narrowly leads the all-time series over the Bulldogs, 14-13. The two teams last faced eachother in the quarterfinals of the 2008 Missouri Valley Conference Championships, where Illinois State defeated Drake, 4-2.
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