Women's Tennis Opens Four-Match Homestand Friday Against Middle Tennessee

NEW ORLEANS – The University of New Orleans women's tennis team prepares for one of its toughest stretches of the season this weekend, as the Privateers host Middle Tennessee on Friday, Mar. 31 at 2 p.m. to kick off a four-match home stand over four days. The University of Connecticut is UNO's Saturday opponent at 10 a.m., while an 11 a.m. bout against reigning Southland Conference champions Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and UIW at 10 a.m. are scheduled for Sunday and Monday.

New Orleans (11-4, 4-2) enters the contest following a commanding 6-1 victory on the road at Jackson State. Junior Anja Luethi leads the Privateers with 18 victories, nine in singles action and a team-best nine in doubles play, while freshman Claudette Gilhespie leads UNO in singles competition with 11 victories.

This weekend is a critical part of our schedule," head coach Burzis Kanga said. "Our mental and physical preparation will be tested in four-straight days of matches, but if we want to win the conference tournament we are going to have to be able to play tough matches and turn around for another one the following day. Sunday is going to be a big match for us and could speak volumes for us if we can defeat the reigning conference champions."

The Privateers open up the four-day homestand with Middle Tennessee (6-11), who most recently lost to VCU 4-3 and will play against Tulane prior to UNO. Lidia Burrows leads the Blue Raiders in singles play with nine victories, while she and Costanza Magazzini are 9-3 as a pair in doubles action.

Connecticut (7-8) enters their match against New Orleans on a three-match winning streak, most recently defeating Fairfield 7-0. Yelyzaveta boasts a team-best 11 wins in singles play, all at the second position, with seven triumphs at the top doubles flight for 18 victories.

The Southland Conference half of the homestand beings with Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (11-2, 4-1 Southland Conference),  who is riding a three-match winning streak heading into their visit to the Lakefront with wins over fellow SLC schools Sam Houston State and McNeese. Marina Vicens Miquel leads the Islanders with 17 total victories, while Maria Maldonado paces singles play with a team-best 11 wins.

UIW (4-14, 1-5 Southland Conference) concludes the homestand, playing at Louisiana Lafayette and Southeastern Louisiana prior to their match against UNO.

Following the four matches, the Privateers hit the road for the final time to take on Central Arkansas on Saturday, Apr. 8 at 9 a.m.