Feb. 20, 2009

By Brett Maikowski, Tennis Contact

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - The Redhawks women's tennis team will begin their 2009 season this Sunday when they travel to Peoria, Ill. to take on Bradley University. The match will take place at the Markin Tennis Courts at 10 a.m.

Southeast finished ninth with a 5-11 overall and 2-6 Ohio Valley Conference record last season. They are again picked to finish ninth this season, according to the preseason polls. Returning this season are senior Julia Masotti and junior Elise Nattier. Alyce Kelly, who played last year as a sophomore, suffered an injury early this season and will not be competing. Among the newcomers this season include freshmen Valentina Emiliani-Segrera (St. Louis, Mo./Pattonville), Anna LeBoeuf (St. Louis, Mo./Rosati Kain), Sarah Pettigrew (Fox River Grove, Ill./Cary-Grove Community), and Rebecca Volle (Defiance, Mo./Francis Howell). Also, juniors Kara True (Charleston, Mo./Charleston) and Erika Seabaugh (Wentzville, Mo./Fort Zumwalt North) will join the Redhawks this season.

The singles lineup for Sunday will consist of Masotti taking the No. 1 spot, while Nattier will compete in the No. 2 match. True will start off the year in the No. 3 slot and Seabaugh will follow at No. 4. Rounding out the lineup for Sunday, Pettigrew and Emiliani will take the No. 5 and 6 spots.

In doubles action, Masotti and Nattier will compete at No. 1, True and Seabaugh at No. 2, and Pettigrew and Emiliani at No. 3.

The Redhawks will be the second of a four match home stand for the Braves of Bradley University. The Braves have opened up their season so far with a 3-1 record, including wins against Valparaiso, Robert Morris, and Ball State. In singles, Nicole Miller (3-1), Veronica Wojakowska (3-0), and Emily Regenold (4-0) lead Bradley in the first three spots. In doubles, the tandem of Miller and Regenold remains undefeated as they hold a 4-0 record this season.

After this match, the Redhawks will not compete again until March 7 when they will travel to take on Memphis.