April 9, 2007

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Southeast Missouri State tennis heads to Charleston, Ill. for a conference match against Eastern Illinois at 3 p.m. Tuesday. On Wednesday, the Redhawks will take on the Salukis of Southern Illinois in a non-conference dual at the same time from the University Courts in Carbondale, Ill.

Southeast is expected to feature their standard lineup that has been used most of the season. Bryce Kristal (Pleasanton, Calif./Foothill) leads the team with 15 wins and is 6-2 in Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) play thus far as the No. 1 singles player. She has won four straight and eight of her last ten singles contests. Her twin sister, Drew Kristal (Pleasanton, Calif./Foothill), brings in a 12-8 record overall and 5-3 mark in OVC play on the No. 2 singles court. Senior Luz Garcia (Bogota, Colombia/Troy) will play in the No. 3 singles dual. In No. 4 action, sophomore Julia Masotti (Moji-Mirim, São Paulo, Brazil/Colegio Integral Aplicado) looks to move her OVC record above .500 for the first time this season. Freshman Elise Nattier (Flora, Ill./Flora) is tied with Bryce Kristal with a 6-2 record in OVC competition. She will look to add to her 11 previous wins in No. 5 singles. Senior Kimmy Anderson (Jackson, Mo./Jackson) rounds out the lineup and will also try to move her OVC record above .500 on Tuesday.

In doubles action, the Kristal sisters bring their 15-6 line into No. 1 play. They are 4-4 in OVC play and have won seven of their last 10 matches. Masotti and Nattier form the No. 2 tandem that has won nine matches this spring. Seniors Garcia and Anderson make up the No. 3 doubles duo.

Eastern Illinois is 5-2 in OVC play and 10-7 overall, including four straight victories. Junior Sandra Sasidharan is a perfect 17-0 as the Panthers No. 1 singles player. Sophomore Natalie Martin has been equally impressive with a 16-1 mark on the No. 2 singles court.

Southern Illinois is 10-6 overall and 2-2 in the Missouri Valley Conference. The Salukis are led by junior Sabine Tsala Mvilongo at the No. 1 line.