Rockets Open Conference Season At Home Against Miami and Marshall
3/29/2005 12:00:00 PM | Women's Tennis
March 29, 2005
Toledo, OH - Toledo will host Miami and Marshall in its Mid-American Conference home-opener this weekend. The Rockets (8-6, 1-1 MAC) will battle the RedHawks (10-5, 1-1 MAC) on Friday, April 1 at 1:00 p.m. before taking on the Thurdering Herd (8-7, 1-1 MAC) at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday. The matches are slated to take place at Ottawa Park, but depending upon weather conditions may move inside to Laurel Hill Swim & Tennis Club. Please refer to www.utrockets.com for more information regarding the venue for this weekend's matches.
"We will definitely have our work cut out for us this weekend," said head coach Tracy Honko. "Miami and Marshall are extremely strong teams, and we'll need to step up this weekend. We are looking to keep improving with every match."
The Rockets opened their conference play last weekend at Buffalo and Akron. Despite falling 6-1 to the Bulls, UT bounced back for a 5-2 victory over the Zips. Sophomore Myriam Cueva continues to lead the team from the No. 1 singles spot with an 18-3 season record, 2-0 in the MAC. She is currently riding a seven-match winning streak from the first flight, and in her last two outings has not let her opponent score more than two points in a set. Cueva also paired with freshman Sarah VanderMolen in doubles and swept their MAC competitors at the No. 2 position. This past weekend was the first time the duo has played together all season.
Miami's last outing on Saturday, March 26 resulted in a 5-2 loss to Western Michigan, who is ranked No. 49 nationally in the latest ITA poll. In singles competition, the RedHawks are led by freshmen Kelly Douple (10-4), Leda Pesatova (10-5), Victoria Puildo (10-5) and junior Remy Swain (9-4). Douple is currently on a three-match winning streak from the No. 2 and No. 3 singles slots. Miami's doubles pair of senior Nancy Weigand and Puildo lead the team at the No. 3 spot with a 7-2 season record.
The Thundering Herd opened conference competition last weekend against Western Michigan and Northern Illinois. On Friday, March 25, the Broncos delivered the `Herd a 4-3 loss, which snapped a 34-match MAC winning streak. Marshall recovered quickly with a 7-0 sweep over NIU on Sunday, March 27.
