MATCH NOTES (PDF)

MARSHALL, Minn. - The Southwest Minnesota State tennis team (5-7, 3-4 NSIC) will host Minnesota-Morris in its 2010 home opener Friday afternoon at 2 p.m. at Legion Field. SMSU will then travel to St. Benedict's on Saturday for an 11 a.m match. The team will finish out the weekend in St. Cloud, Minn., for a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference match-up against Minnesota Duluth at 10:30 a.m.

Series records:  SMSU and UMM last met up in 2008 when the Mustangs swept the Cougars 9-0. The series between the two teams began in 1977, and SMSU holds the advantage at 19-9-1. CSB and SMSU first played in 1980. The series between the two teams is currently tied 9-9. SMSU and UMD also first met up in 1980; however, the Bulldogs currently lead the series as the Mustangs and are 3-16 against their NSIC neighbor. SMSU dropped last year's match 5-4.

Last time out: SMSU made the trek to Bemidji State last Friday and beat the Beavers 7-2. The Mustangs jumped out to an early lead after duo Cailey Grupe (Trimont, Minn.) and Trisha Baldwin (Montevideo, Minn.) defeated Farrah Steinke and Lindsey Luberda in an 8-3 decision and Lissa Murakami (São Paulo, Brazil) and Danielle Hildebrandt (St. James, Minn.) defeated Kelli Christiansen and Kara Johnson 8-2. Bemidji took the finals doubles match against Amy Daniels (Marshall, Minn.) and Angie Wiegmann (Spicer, Minn.) 8-6.  SMSU won the next five singles matches, led by Murakami at the No. 1 position, who defeated Steinke 6-1, 6-2. Hildebrandt won at No. 2, beating Luberda 6-1, 6-1. Grupe, Baldwin and Wiegmann also won their singles matches.

SMSU ranked in Central Region: SMSU is ranked 10th in the ITA Central Rankings as of March 30. Other teams from the NSIC placing in the Central region include St. Cloud State (No.  1) Upper Iowa (No. 5), Augustana (No. 6), Minnesota State (No. 7),  and Winona State (No.9).
    1.     St. Cloud State
    2.     Mesa State
    3.     Western New Mexico
    4.     Nebraska- Kearney
    5.     Upper Iowa
    6.     Augustana College
    7.     Minnesota State
    8.     Metro State
    9.     Winona State
    10. SMSU

Multiple Mustangs ranked in Central Region: Freshman Lissa Murakami (São Paulo, Brazil) is ranked No. 12 in the latest ITA Central Region singles rankings. She currently holds a record of 7-5. The SMSU doubles team of juniors Cailey Grupe (Trimont, Minn.) and Trisha Baldwin (Montevideo, Minn.) are ranked No. 4. The duo is 11-3 from SMSU's No. 1 spot.  

Senior momentum:  The 2010 roster features two seniors 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 81-152 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.