Women?s Tennis Opens SEC Play with LSU and Arkansas
2/28/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
TUSCALOOSA, Ala.- The University of Alabama women's tennis team opens conference play this weekend on the road against two ranked Western division opponents. The Crimson Tide heads to No. 34 LSU before traveling to Fayetteville, Ark. to take on the 26th ranked Lady Backs.
"We work all year to prepare for the competitive SEC season," said Alabama head coach Jenny Mainz. "It's an exciting time for us. We have played an impressive non-conference schedule contesting more than a few nationally ranked opponents. I am confident that this stout schedule will prove to be beneficial."
Alabama, 3-5 overall, dropped its last non-conference match of the preseason to Big XII foe Oklahoma in a close 4-3 battle before heading into the SEC.
The Tide's underclassmen look to lead Alabama into the conference season. So far, the freshmen and sophomores have combined for 72 wins and see action at nos. one through five in the singles lineup. At the helm of the Tide is freshman Tiffany Welcher at the No. 1 singles slot.
LSU heads into the weekend with a 5-3 record after dropping a match to No. 20 Florida State last weekend. The Tigers feature three ranked players heading into conference action. Leading the way in singles is No. 15 Megan Falcon, followed by Staten Spencer and Mykala Hedberg who team up as the 56th ranked doubles team in the nation.
Arkansas, 7-4 overall, comes into the series after a successful weekend. The Lady Backs defeated Louisiana-Lafayette and No. 40 Tulsa in their last two matches before SEC play begins. Arkansas features a handful of ranked individuals. Aurelija Miseviciute leads Arkansas from the No. 1 singles slot and heads into the match as the No. 2 ranked singles player in the nation. Joining Miseviciute in the singles rankings is No. 61 Anouk Tigu, who mainly sees action from the No. 3 position.
In doubles, Arkansas sports the No. 23 and 59 ranked tandems. Ela Kaluder and Miseviciute team up as the higher ranked squad while Maryori Franco and Nanar Airapetian trail their teammates at No. 59.
Alabama trails the series with LSU 9-24 after falling to the Tigers at home last season. Against Arkansas, the Tide leads the Lady Backs 14-7 all-time.
"It's a new season with everyone in the SEC at 0-0 in conference play," Mainz said. "The key for us is to go out and play solid, disciplined, consistent tennis day in and day out throughout the season. Everyone needs to show up ready to battle and expecting their best play. Our entire season is in front of us."
Live statistics and complete results for both matches can be viewed at www.rolltide.com.
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