MARSHALL, Minn. - The Southwest Minnesota State University women's tennis team will begin the 2014 season this Saturday, with two non-conference matches at the St. Thomas-Anderson Complex in St. Paul, Minn.  SMSU will play St. Thomas at noon, before taking on Macalester at 1:30 p.m.

The Mustangs will then travel to St. Peter, Minn., to open up the 11-match Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference schedule on Sunday, at 9:30 a.m. versus Minnesota State on the campus of Gustavus Adolphus College.

The Mustangs are coming off a 2013 campaign in which they went 3-13 overall, including 2-10 in the NSIC.  Individually, SMSU combined for a 24-72 record in singles matches and 12-36 in team doubles.

Charlie Kost enters his fourth season as head coach and he welcomes seven returning letterwinners and seven incoming freshmen to the 2014 roster.

Katie Kienitz, who played all 14 of her singles matches at No. 1 for SMSU last season, returns for her junior season.

Crystal Overbaugh also returns after finishing the 2013 season 6-10 overall – recording a 6-9 record at No. 3 singles.