Last Weekend: U-Mary women's tennis team got the 2014 season started with a win over University of Minnesota Duluth in their season and conference debut. U-Mary defeated Minnesota Duluth by a score of 7-2. U-Mary's dominance at the top of the line-up from 2013 continued as All-NSIC performers Hallie Welk and Sarah Janes each won 6-0, 6-1 at first and second singles respectively. The Marauders had some new faces step-up as well as freshmen Catherine Gibbens and Anastasia Bruss. Each won their matches. Janes and O'Connell, who were named All-NSIC at first doubles in 2013 did not pair together in the opening match of the season, but both were able to pick up wins with their new partners. Janes teamed up with Gibbens for an 8-1 win at first doubles and O'Connell teamed with Welk to win 8-0 at second doubles.
 
This Weekend: The University of Mary tennis team will make their home debut as they host Minnesota State University Mankato on Friday at 6 p.m. and Augustana College on Saturday at 1 p.m. Both matches will be played at Capital Racquet and Fitness.
 
Minnesota State, who finished fourth in the NSIC a year ago, returns its 2-5 singles players, its second doubles team, and a member of both the first and third doubles teams' that took on U-Mary last year. The Mavericks top two returning singles players, Kelly Lechowski and Sarah McCann are off to a combined 3-8 start as they have shared duties at the top of the lineup. Freshman Melissa Mashburn has added depth playing anywhere from 1-4 and has a 4-2 record. The Mavericks are off to a 2-4 start (1-1 NSIC) and are coming off of a weekend in which they fell 6-3 to Winona State University and 9-0 to South Dakota State University.
 
Augustana College, who has won 46 consecutive NSIC matches, returns six player who saw significant action between singles and doubles last year, including its top to singles player in Katie Jesperson and Jess Richards. The defending NSIC Champion Vikings lost their primary third and fourth singles players from a year ago, but have added freshman Francesca Beg and Christine Olivo to fill those spots, each of who is 3-0. The Vikings have won all three of their matches (3-0, 2-0 NSIC) by a score of 9-0, including wins over University of Sioux Falls and Upper Iowa last weekend.

Last Season vs. MSU, U-Mary fell 5-4 on the road. U-Mary claimed two wins in doubles as Sarah Janes and Kate O'Connel earned an 8-4 victory and Hallie Welk and Rachael Scott claimed an 8-3 win. Janes and Welk then dominated their singles matches winning 6-0, 6-1 and 6-1, 6-0 respectively.
 
Last Season vs. AC defeated U-Mary by a score of 8-1. The Marauders only point of the match came as Hallie Welk and Sarah Janes teamed up to defeat the Vikings No. 1 doubles team of Katie Jesperson and Michelle Wadas. Janes and Welk handed Jesperson their first loss of the season and was one of just six teams to beat the duo in 25 matches.

Record-Setting: Last season was a record-setting year for the University of Mary tennis team. Since joining the NSIC in 2007, the Marauders did not have a single player named all-conference until last year when four players were named to the All-NSIC team. Finishing 7-7, the Marauders finished with their most wins since joining the NCAA in 2007 and picked up the program's only .500 season in the same time frame.
 
Key Returners: The Marauders are led by three returning All-NSIC performers from a year ago. Headlining that group is Hallie Welk (Sr., Bismarck, N.D. / Century HS), who was named first team all-conference for her efforts at second singles last year. Welk is joined by last year's No. 1 singles player, Sarah Janes (Fr., Bismarck, N.D. / Century), who was named to the All-NSIC second team. Janes' doubles partner, Kate O'Connell (Jr., Elk River, Minn. / Elk River), also returns for the Marauders. Janes and O'Connell were named second team All-NSIC at first doubles in 2013.
 
Newcomers: With the loss of two seniors and a 2013 All-NSIC performer, the Marauders have several holes to fill. Looking to fill those voids will be Catherine Gibbens (Fr., Rapid City, S.D. / St. Thomas Moore HS), Anastasia Bruss (Fr., Rochester, Minn./ Century HS) and Hannah Smith (Fr., Highlands Ranch, Colo. / Bishop Machebeuf HS).
 
Up Next: U-Mary will be in action next as it take on Upper Iowa University and Minnesota State University Moorhead on Feb. 22 in Fargo, N.D.
 
Looking Ahead: Over Spring Break the Marauders tennis team will be making a trip to Florida, where they will play four matches from Mar. 3-8.
 
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