Women's Tennis Opens Up Southland Conference Tournament Against McNeese On Friday

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NEW ORLEANS – The University of New Orleans women's tennis team begins play in the 2017 Southland Conference Tournament on Friday, April 28, when they take on third-seed McNeese in the first round at 2 p.m.

It is the second-straight season the Privateers will play McNeese in the opening round of the conference tournament, with the Cowgirls prevailing last year 4-1. In this seasons' regular season match between the two sides, UNO led 3-2 before back-to-back victories for McNeese propelled them to the 4-3 win.

"We played McNeese early on in the season," head coach Burzis Kanga said. "I think we have matured a lot since then and have been playing some of our best tennis lately. We are peaking at the perfect time. We are going to have to show up collectedly as a team if we want to win this match."

New Orleans (14-8, 6-5 Southland Conference) ended the regular season with a 1-1 weekend, defeating Sam Houston State 4-1 before losing to Lamar 4-3. Sophomore Trang Dao, a 2017 Second-Team All-Southland Conference honoree, leads the Privateers with 14 victories in singles play, all at the top flight, plus 12 triumphs in doubles action for 26 total wins. Junior Anja Luethi boasts a team-best 13 victories in doubles play, with an identical total in doubles for 26 wins.

McNeese (12-10, 7-4 Southland Conference) enters the postseason on a three-match winning streak, besting Nicholls 6-1 in their regular season finale. Hannah Brett paces the Cowgirls with 17 victories in singles play, while adding 12 triumphs in doubles play for 29 total. Charoline Erlandsson has a team-best 14 wins in doubles play, with 12 singles victories for 26 total.