MATCH NOTES (PDF)

MARSHALL, Minn. - The Southwest Minnesota State tennis team (2-3, 0-2 NSIC) will head to St. Cloud this Wednesday to take on Montana State Billings (0-5) at 10:30 a.m. The Mustangs return to St. Cloud on Saturday for Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play against Minnesota State Moorhead (1-4, 1-2 NSIC) at 12 p.m.

Series records: SMSU and Montana State Billings last met in 2002, and the Yellowjackets hold the only victory of the series. The first contest between the Mustangs and the MSUM dates back to 1980. The two teams last met last year when SMSU won the match-up 5-4.  The Mustangs currently have a two-match winning streak in the series and have a 19-9 overall record against the Dragons.

Last time out: The Mustangs took the courts this weekend against Northwestern College (Iowa) on Friday, and NSIC conference opponent, Upper Iowa on Sunday. SMSU defeated the Raiders on Friday night in St. Cloud in a 7-2 decision. The Peacocks topped the Mustangs with a score of 6-3.  Strong doubles play was key in the Mustang's win over the Raiders as all three duos dominated their matches. Cailey Grupe (Trimont, Minn.) and Trisha Baldwin (Montevideo, Minn.) led SMSU from the No. 1 doubles spot, defeating Julie Mineart and Jennifer Jansen, 8-0. The senior-freshmen duo of Danielle Hildebrandt (St. James, Minn.) and Lissa Murakami (São Paulo, Brazil) also won with a 8-1 decision over Jessica Pomerenke and Kellie Korver. Katie Carlson (St. James, Minn.) and Angie Wiegmann (Spicer, Minn.) finished out doubles winning 8-3. Baldwin won the only singles match for the Mustangs against Upper Iowa, defeating Betsy Limburg 6-4, 6-4.

SMSU ranked in Central Region: SMSU is ranked eighth in the ITA Central Rankings as of the end of November. Other teams from the NSIC placing in the Central region include Upper Iowa (No.3), Minnesota State (No.5), and Winona State (No.6).
    1.     Mesa State
    2.     Metro State
    3.     Upper Iowa
    4.     Nebraska- Kearney
    5.     Minnesota State
    6.     Winona State
    7.     CSU-Pueblo
    8.     SMSU

Grupe ranked in Central Region:  Junior Cailey Grupe is ranked No. 15 in the ITA Central Rankings in singles.  Grupe finished last season with a 15-11 record in singles play.  She has charted a 2-2 record in singles tour play this season.

Senior momentum:  The 2010 roster features two senior in Danielle Hildebrandt (St. James, Minn.) and Amy Daniels (Marshall, Minn.) The two have been a mainstay in the SMSU lineup throughout their careers, making waves in both singles and doubles play.

The coach:  The longest tenured coach currently on staff at SMSU, George Seldat enters his 16th season as head tennis coach of the Mustangs in 2010. Seldat has compiled a 78-148 overall record at SMSU.  Last season, he coached the Mustangs an overall record of 8-14 and 5-6 mark in the NSIC.

Stay connected:  Stay connected with SMSU tennis all season long at www.smsumustangs.com.  The Mustangs are also on Facebook and Twitter; just log onto www.facebook.com/smsumustangs and www.twitter.com/smsumustangs.  For the latest video highlights and new episodes of the Mustang Minute check out SMSU's official YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/user/smsuathletics.?