April 12, 2008

By Brett Maikowski, Tennis Contact

THIS WEEK: The Southeast tennis team (5-13, 2-6 OVC) will close out its 20-match season on Sunday against OVC conference opponent Eastern Illinois (10-7, 3-5 OVC). The match will be played at the Redhawks Tennis Complex beginning at 2 p.m.

SCOUTING SOUTHEAST: The Redhawks are led by senior Bryce Kristal at the No. 1 singles spot, who won her last match against Louisiana-Monroe and is 13-5 overall, while posting an impressive 7-1 record in OVC play. In doubles play, the pair consisting of seniors Bryce and Drew Kristal and the tandem of sophomore Alyce Kelly and junior Julia Masotti lead the team in wins as they are both 9-7 overall and hold an OVC record of 5-3.

SCOUTING THE PANTHERS: The Panthers have lost their last three matches, not including Saturday's match against Austin Peay. Junior Natalie Martin leads EIU in wins, as she posts a 14-3 mark overall in the No. 2 spot and has only one loss in the OVC. EIU is right on the edge of making the OVC tournament this year, as they sit in seventh place, putting them one away from making it in.

SERIES HISTORY: Currently, EIU leads SEMO in the overall series by a 9-4 margin. The last meeting between the Redhawks and Panthers came in the first round of the OVC Tournament last season, which ended with the Panthers coming out on top, 4-1.