WINONA, Minn. – The Winona State University women's tennis team embarks on its 2020 campaign this weekend with a pair of NSIC matches at the Winona Tennis Center. WSU hosts St. Cloud State on Friday at 5:30 p.m. and takes on Minnesota Duluth on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
The Warriors are coming off a 9-8 (8-3 NSIC) record a year ago. Winona State's veteran team has won at least nine matches in each of the last three seasons. This past Fall, the Warriors went 3-0 in their countable exhibition matches in preparation of the Spring season.
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PRESEASON PICK: A year after finishing third in the regular season standings, Winona State was also tabbed third in the 2020 NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll. The 10-time defending champion Augustana Vikings were voted first. Augie has won 110 consecutive NSIC regular season matches. MSU Moorhead was selected second with 110 votes and WSU was close behind in third place with 91 votes.
HOME SWEET HOME: The Warriors 2020 schedule is packed with nine home matches. Over the past three seasons, WSU has posted an 18-3 record inside the Winona Tennis Center.
SENIOR SZN: Three-year players Tayla Card, Kendra Kappes and Kaisey Skibba are each entering their final year as Winona State Warriors. Card tied for the team lead with 11 singles wins in 2019 (11-5 at Singles No. 4). Kappes is a three-time All-NSIC recipient in her career, including Second Team Singles honors last season. Skibba is a two-time All-Conference honoree, including First Team Doubles recognition in 2019.
FOUR OF A KIND: Winona State's quartet of sophomores each gained valuable experience on the court during their freshmen seasons in 2019. Mya Lubben was a staple at Doubles No. 3 as was Faith Young as Singles No. 5. Brooke Holloway also saw action at singles and doubles. Leading the way for the group was Beth Murman who owned a 7-10 (5-6 NSIC) record at Singles No. 1. Along with veteran teammate Kaisey Skibba, the duo posted a 12-5 (8-3 NSIC) record at Doubles No. 1 to earn First Team All-NSIC honors.
WELCOME TO WINONA: Head coach Heather Reilly added four new players to the squad this year, including a trio of freshman. Rookies Audrey Delich, Brooke Jorgensen and Rachel Kelly will add to the Warriors' talented mix of youth and experience in 2020.
GRADUATE CHAMPIONS: For the second straight year in 2019, the Warrior Tennis Team was honored as the Winona State Athletic Team with the highest cumulative GPA at the annual WESPY Awards. Four Warriors were named to the 2019 NSIC Spring All-Academic Team of Excellence. Last month, Tayla Card, Kendra Kappes and Kaisey Skibba earned the NSIC Myles Brand All-Academic with Distinction Award. Additionally, Kappes was named the 2019 NSIC Elite 18 winner and earned CoSIDA Academic All-America honors at the conclusion of last season.
