WINONA, Minn. – With one match under their belts, the Winona State women's tennis team will open its conference schedule with a pair of home matches this weekend at the Winona Tennis Center. The Warriors host Minnesota State Mankato on Friday night at 6 p.m. and conclude the homestand with a 3:30 p.m. first serve against Southwest Minnesota State on Saturday.
SCOUTING REPORT: All three teams this weekend will play their first NSIC matches of the year. Minnesota State is 1-1 on the early season with a win over Northwestern College (NAIA), and SMSU is 1-2 with a win over Truman State in its first match of the year. Winona State defeated both teams by 8-1 counts during the regular season in 2018 and again defeated Mankato in the postseason tournament, 5-0.
TOUGH LOSS: The Warriors dropped a 4-3 decision at home last Saturday in their season opener against College of Saint Benedict in non-conference play. Under the new scoring format, CSB won the doubles points and came away with three singles wins for the team victory. Beth Murman (No. 1), Kendra Kappes (No. 2) and Tayla Card (No. 4) each won their respective singles matches for WSU. Caitlin Anderson came up just short at Singles No. 6, falling in three sets.
STRONG DEBUT: Along with her win at Singles No. 1, Murman made a big impression in her fist collegiate match. The freshman was a 6-4, 6-3 winner in solo action and teamed up with Kaisey Skibba at Doubles No. 1 for a 6-2 triumph.
PRESEASON PICK: Winona State was tabbed third in the 2019 NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll after finishing second in the 2018 regular season standings (14-3, 10-1 NSIC). The nine-time defending NSIC Champions from Augustana were picked atop the poll once again. MSU Moorhead, who the Warriors split with last year, were voted second in the poll.
CORE FOUR: The Warriors are a young but experience group entering the new year, carrying a roster without any seniors. Juniors Card, Kappes and Skibba, along with sophomore Anderson are the veterans of the squad and bring plenty of experience. Kappes went 14-3 in singles and earned NSIC Second Team Doubles honors with a 12-4 record. Card went 13-3 in singles last season and was 12-1 at doubles three. The group has led WSU to back-to-back 14-win seasons. The Warriors' 10 NSIC wins last year were their most since 2013.
