March 6, 2009

By Brett Maikowski, Tennis Contact

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - The Southeast tennis team will travel to Memphis, Tenn. tomorrow to take on the Memphis Lady Tigers at the HMSE courts at 11 a.m. Concluding the match, Southeast will then head to Jacksonville, Ala. to compete against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks on Sunday at 10 a.m. The Redhawks this season are currently 0-1 overall.

All of the Redhawks will be looking to earn their first win this weekend, as the team lost 7-0 in their last match against Bradley University. The lineup is expected to stay the same as Julia Masotti will take the No. 1 singles slot with Elise Nattier following at No. 2. Kara True and Erika Seabaugh will compete in No. 3 and 4 singles. Rounding out the lineup in the No. 5 and 6 spots will be Valentina Emiliani-Segrera and Sarah Pettigrew.

In doubles, Masotti and Nattier will control the No. 1 team, while True and Seabaugh will make up the No. 2 tandem. In No. 3 doubles, Emiliani-Segrera and Pettigrew will compete.

SCOUTING THE LADY TIGERS

Memphis is coming off of four consecutive losses, including two straight 7-0 defeats against Mississippi and Arkansas to put them at 5-7 on the year. They will be looking to get back into the win column this weekend as they take on three Ohio Valley Conference opponents. The Lady Tigers are led by Ashley Murdock and Marjorie Ondeck who comprise the first two singles spots in the lineup, while Murdock and Sarah Irvin make up the first tandem in doubles.

SERIES HISTORY

The Redhawks are 1-1 all-time against the Lady Tigers. The last match between these two teams occurred on March 13 last season with Memphis pulling out the win by a margin of 4-3.

SCOUTING THE GAMECOCKS

The Gamecocks are 6-2 (1-0 OVC) so far this season after coming off a 6-1 loss to Troy University. Viviane Marani holds a 3-4 record in No. 1 singles, while Martina Dessbesell is currently 6-2 overall and 5-2 in the No. 2 spot. Marani and Rafaila Wenzel make up the No. 1 doubles team and currently sit at 5-2 for the year. The team of Dessbesell and Eloah Lopes are also 5-2 on the season in the No. 2 spot.

SERIES HISTORY

The all-time series with the Gamecocks is currently at 2-2. Jacksonville State won the most recent match, which took place last season on April 4, when they took down Southeast by a 7-0 margin.