MATCH NOTES (PDF)

MARSHALL, Minn. -  The Southwest Minnesota State tennis team (3-7, 1-4 NSIC)  will head to St. Cloud this Saturday for Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play against Minnesota, Crookston (0-13, 0-8 NSIC) at 5 p.m.

Series records:  SMSU and Minnesota,Crookston have met up six times since the series began in 2000. The Mustangs have won all six match-ups, including their latest meeting in 2009 in which they held the Golden Eagles scoreless in a 9-0 decision.

Last time out:  The Mustangs played three matches last weekend and came away with their first NSIC win of the season.  SMSU took on Gustavus Adolphus in St. Peter on Saturday and were defeated 9-0. Trisha Baldwin (Montevideo, Minn.) fared the best for the Mustangs in Saturday's loss to Gustavus, forcing a tie-breaker against Emily Roediger after splitting the first two sets, 6-4, 4-6. Roediger won the tie-breaker set 10-8.  SMSU duo of Danielle Hildebrandt (St. James, Minn.) and Lissa Murakami (São Paulo, Brazil) also fared the best in doubles play but were defeated by Mary Roop and Leigh Kreklau 8-6.  The Mustangs took on Northern State Saturday were led by Hilldebrandt, who held Jessica DesLauriers scoreless, winning her match 6-0, 6-0. Angie Wiegmann (Spicer, Minn.) recorded her second win of the season by defeating Amanda Lee 7-5, 7-5. SMSU was defeated by St. Cloud State 7-2 in the final match of the weekend.  Duo Lissa Murakami and Hilldebrandt earned a win, beating Kayla Lenz and Catarina Franca in an 8-4 decision. Baldwin also recorded a win from the No. 4 singles position over Lenz 3-6, 6-4, 11-9.

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

Grupe ranked in Central Region:  Junior Cailey Grupe (Trimont, Minn.) is ranked No. 15 in the ITA Central Rankings in singles.  Grupe has charted a 5-5 record in singles 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 mainstays 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 79-152 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.?