March 27, 2008

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FORT COLLINS, Colo. - The Colorado State women's tennis team will travel to Fort Worth, Texas, to open conference play against No. 22 TCU Friday and No. 53 New Mexico Sunday.

Coming off a spring-break trip in which the Rams (6-3, 0-0 MWC) swept all three of their opponents, the squad is full of confidence.

"We're confident we can be competitive with both teams," commented Head Coach Jon Messick. "The team is excited about playing. It will be a good test right out of the chute."

However, facing just their second and third ranked opponents of the season, and the highest-ranked opponent of the spring season in TCU, the Rams will have to play flawlessly.

"We will have to play our best tennis and focus on the important points," said Messick. "If we do that, we'll have a shot."

The Rams' lineup has seen multiple players win big points, with four players already in double figures in singles wins (Caitlin, Greer, Hilary, Lauren).

Fluegge will bring an undefeated singles record and an eight-match win streak into Friday. She is also tied for the team high in wins with 14. Her superb play this spring could see her moving up in the lineup during conference play.

Satherlie set a career high for wins in a season with 14, competing mostly at the No. 5 spot this season. After she won all three of her singles matches over the spring-break trip, the Rams will look to Satherlie to continue her strong play entering conference competition.

Tyler stepped into the No. 1 singles position last week, after competing at the No. 2 spot during each of her previous spring matches. She earned decisive victories at the position, losing just five games total in the matches.

Sophomore Laura Neal has put her difficult start behind her, winning her past five singles matches to put her at 6-3. She also teamed up with Tyler over the spring-break trip to go 3-0 at the No. 1 doubles position.

TCU brings a 10-4 record into the match against the Rams, tied for most wins in the conference (along with Wyoming). The Horned Frogs are led by sophomore Nina Munch-Soegaard and junior Anna Sydorska. Munch-Soegaard is currently ranked No. 67 in singles while Sydorska is No. 72 in singles and No. 12 in doubles, alongside Macall Harkins. The duo boasts an 11-2 record at the No. 1 doubles spot.

New Mexico holds an 8-6 record heading into this weekend, including wins over No. 59 Boise State and No. 70 Kansas. The Lobos are led by junior Ola Abou-Zekry, who is ranked No. 111 in singles play; she will most likely compete at the No. 1 position. New Mexico will face Air Force Friday before meeting the Rams.

The Rams will face TCU Friday at 5 p.m. MDT and New Mexico Sunday at 10 p.m. MDT.