University of Memphis Athletics
Lady Tiger Tennis Hosts Three Matches This Weekend
Mar 06, 2009 | Women's Tennis
March 5, 2009
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The University of Memphis women's tennis program will host three matches this weekend at the University of Memphis Tennis Courts. The matches will mark the first time that the Memphis Tennis teams have played a match at their home courts in nearly four years. Play kicks off on Friday at 10 a.m., at the courts when the Memphis Lady Tigers (5-7) face-off with the Austin Peay Lady Governors (0-8). The match will be followed with an afternoon dual against the Murray State Racers (4-1). The estimate start of the second match is 2:30 on Friday afternoon. The weekend will wrap up with a match pitting the Lady Tigers up against the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks (0-1).
"We are excited to play three homes matches after being on the road for so long," said Memphis head coach Lee Taylor Walker. "It is just nice to be able to sleep in our own beds and play at home after playing the last nine matches on the road. All three teams should prove to be tests for our team."
The Lady Tigers last played at home on Feb. 1, when they faced the UT Martin Skyhawks at the Wellworx Sporting Club. The U of M went 3-6 on the road trip which took them to Alabama, Texas, Mississippi and Arkansas. Memphis is led at the No. 1 position by Ashley Murdock. The junior from Memphis, Tenn., is 9-6 so far this season. She is coming off of an All-C-USA selection last season after returning to her home town to play for the Lady Tigers after competing at Lousiana State University for a season.
In doubles, the No. 1 tandem of Murdock and Marjorie Ondeck has gone 1-4 so far this year. Murdock has also teamed with Sarah Irvin, a freshman from Queensland, Australia, for a 7-4 record.
Austin Peay's singles line-up is anchored by their No. 1 singles player Mariana Pagan. Pagan is 2-2 in singles so far this year. She is coming off of victories over UT Martin and Jacksonville State.
In doubles, the tandem of Yuki Nakamura and Mariana Pagan comes in carriny a 1-3 mark on the season.
Memphis defeated the Lady Governors, 7-0, last season. Last year's match-up was the first between the two opponents over the last 15 seasons.
Murray State is led by No. 1 singles netter Anne Pennington. Pennington is 3-2 in singles so far this year. She has picked up victories over opponents from Butler, Ball State and Evansville.
In doubles, the Racers' are led by Pennington and Angela McGahee. The pair has posted a unscathed 3-0 record this season.
Memphis upended Murray State, 4-2, in a Feb. 26, match-up. The Lady Tigers are 4-5 against the Racers over the past 15 seasons.
Southeast Missouri State's singles line-up is led by Julia Masotti. Masotti lost her only match so far this year against Nicole Miller of Bradley.
In doubles, the No. 1 tandem of Masotti and Elise Nattier is 0-1 after a loss to Bradley's No. 1 duo.
The U of M is 3-0 against Southeast Missouri State over the past 15 seasons.
Fans can follow this weekend's matches via live stats on the gotigersgo.com website. Tigers fans who intend on making the trek over to the University of Memphis Tennis Courts on Friday and Saturday will be treated with free food and the opportunity to see the Memphis Lady Tigers on campus for the first time this season.
Players Mentioned
