Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Saturday, February 4
Murfreesboro, Tenn. - Adams Tennis Complex
10 AM
Middle Tennessee
vs
WKU
Saturday Doubleheader on Tap for Women’s Tennis
2/3/2017 11:56:00 AM | Women's Tennis
MT hosts WKU at 10 a.m. and UT-Martin at 3 p.m.
MT vs. WKU and UT-Martin match notes
Live stats
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee women's tennis is set to host rival WKU Saturday at 10 a.m. and UT-Martin at 3 p.m. at the Adams Tennis Complex, playing in honor of the Power of Pink and Breast Cancer Awareness.
"When we came back from the break, we weren't able to get in the weight room because we competed so soon, so after those first two weeks, we were able to get in the weight room and work really hard," MT head coach Charlie Ramsay said. "What we learned in Knoxville was that we just missed too many balls, so we went really basic with our practice schedule. Our girls really gained a lot of confidence back this week."
Last time the Hilltoppers visited the ATC, they were bounced in the first round of the Conference USA Championships in 2016, thanks to an incredible comeback by the Blue Raiders, who were down 0-3 in that match to win by a score of 4-3. MT owns the all-time series lead over WKU, 23-11, including two wins in 2016.
However, WKU's head coach Jonatan Berhane has added several new pieces to the squad to improve the Hilltoppers. Freshmen Cindy Oest and Natalie De Ugarte have split time at the No. 3 and 4 spots in the Hilltoppers' first two matches, a win over Detroit Mercy, 7-0, and a loss to Louisville, 5-2. Their fellow freshman Monica Malinen is undefeated through two matches at the No. 5 spot in the lineup.
MT is currently on an 18-match win streak over UT-Martin and leads in the all-time series, 27-1. Dennis Taylor is now in his 30th season at the helm of the Skyhawks and has taken home seven OVC Coach of the Year awards.
UT-Martin fell to Louisville, 5-2, to start their season, but Sarah Candeloro and Hitomi Naito both earned victories at the No. 1 and 2 spots, respectively, to start their senior campaigns. Condeloro and Jemima Potter are the Skyhawks' top returning doubles duo, posting an 8-5 mark at No. 1 doubles a season ago. Naito continues to play great tennis for UT-Martin, winning 10 out of her last 11 singles matches.
"WKU has gotten so much better in the last few years. Obviously the last time we played WKU, they had us on the ropes, so they're taking this match very seriously. UT-Martin is also very good at the top of the lineup, but I hope that our depth is where we can compete with them," Ramsay said of the Blue Raiders' upcoming opponents.
The Power of Pink is sponsoring the match vs. WKU, and free pink refreshments along with free T-shirts will be given out at the match. MT will wear special pink uniforms against WKU to honor the Power of Pink and Breast Cancer Awareness.
"We need another big crowd on Saturday like last April against WKU," Ramsay added. "We talked a lot on Wednesday about how many lives breast cancer affects. What we have to do is have a lot of pride in what we're playing for on Saturday. The partnership with Power of Pink is great, and we're happy to have them help us with this. We always play for more than ourselves, but especially on Saturday."
Admission is free to the ATC, and live stats will be available for both matches.
Live stats
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee women's tennis is set to host rival WKU Saturday at 10 a.m. and UT-Martin at 3 p.m. at the Adams Tennis Complex, playing in honor of the Power of Pink and Breast Cancer Awareness.
"When we came back from the break, we weren't able to get in the weight room because we competed so soon, so after those first two weeks, we were able to get in the weight room and work really hard," MT head coach Charlie Ramsay said. "What we learned in Knoxville was that we just missed too many balls, so we went really basic with our practice schedule. Our girls really gained a lot of confidence back this week."
Last time the Hilltoppers visited the ATC, they were bounced in the first round of the Conference USA Championships in 2016, thanks to an incredible comeback by the Blue Raiders, who were down 0-3 in that match to win by a score of 4-3. MT owns the all-time series lead over WKU, 23-11, including two wins in 2016.
However, WKU's head coach Jonatan Berhane has added several new pieces to the squad to improve the Hilltoppers. Freshmen Cindy Oest and Natalie De Ugarte have split time at the No. 3 and 4 spots in the Hilltoppers' first two matches, a win over Detroit Mercy, 7-0, and a loss to Louisville, 5-2. Their fellow freshman Monica Malinen is undefeated through two matches at the No. 5 spot in the lineup.
MT is currently on an 18-match win streak over UT-Martin and leads in the all-time series, 27-1. Dennis Taylor is now in his 30th season at the helm of the Skyhawks and has taken home seven OVC Coach of the Year awards.
UT-Martin fell to Louisville, 5-2, to start their season, but Sarah Candeloro and Hitomi Naito both earned victories at the No. 1 and 2 spots, respectively, to start their senior campaigns. Condeloro and Jemima Potter are the Skyhawks' top returning doubles duo, posting an 8-5 mark at No. 1 doubles a season ago. Naito continues to play great tennis for UT-Martin, winning 10 out of her last 11 singles matches.
"WKU has gotten so much better in the last few years. Obviously the last time we played WKU, they had us on the ropes, so they're taking this match very seriously. UT-Martin is also very good at the top of the lineup, but I hope that our depth is where we can compete with them," Ramsay said of the Blue Raiders' upcoming opponents.
The Power of Pink is sponsoring the match vs. WKU, and free pink refreshments along with free T-shirts will be given out at the match. MT will wear special pink uniforms against WKU to honor the Power of Pink and Breast Cancer Awareness.
"We need another big crowd on Saturday like last April against WKU," Ramsay added. "We talked a lot on Wednesday about how many lives breast cancer affects. What we have to do is have a lot of pride in what we're playing for on Saturday. The partnership with Power of Pink is great, and we're happy to have them help us with this. We always play for more than ourselves, but especially on Saturday."
Admission is free to the ATC, and live stats will be available for both matches.
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