This Week: The University of Mary tennis will be back in action this weekend after nearly two-weeks since their last competition. U-Mary will host Southwest Minnesota State University on Sunday March 23 at 10 a.m. at Capital Racquet and Fitness.
 
The Records: So far this season the Marauders are 5-4, with a 4-1 mark in conference. The Mustangs are 3-10 overall and 1-4 in NSIC play.
 
U-Mary: The Marauders last competed on March 8 as they completed a six-day four-match trip to Tampa, Fla. U-Mary finished the trip just 1-3, but twice lost 5-4. One of the Marauders three losses came against No. 50 Wayne State (Mich.). U-Mary boasts a strong corps of young players with two sophomores and three freshmen in both their singles and doubles lineups. Led by senior captain Hallie Welk, the Marauders are looking to snap a three-match losing streak.
 
SMSU: The Mustangs recently completed a four-day six-match trip to Mesa, Ariz. SMSU finished the trip with a 1-5 record and have lost three consecutive matches.  The Mustangs only win of conference play came in a 6-3 decision over University of Minnesota Crookston. Similar to U-Mary, SMSU is a young team as it is projected to have four underclassmen in both the singles and doubles lineups.
 
PROJECTED LINEUPS
 
            Singles
No. 1   Hallie Welk (5-4, 3-2 NSIC) vs.
            Crystal Overbaugh (1-8, 0-5 NSIC)
No. 2   Sarah Janes (5-4, 2-3 NSIC) vs.
            Katie Kienitz (2-10, 1-4 NSIC)       
No. 3   Catherine Gibbens (5-4, 3-2 NSIC)
            Lindsey Brace (0-10, 0-4 NSIC)
No. 4   Meredith Holt (2-4, 1-1 NSIC)
            Shelby Monahan (3-8, 2-3 NSIC)   
No. 5   Anastasia Bruss (5-4, 4-1 NSIC)
            Kayla Uphus (3-7, 2-2 NSIC)
No. 6   Kate O'Connell (4-5, 2-3 NSIC)
            Ritter (3-5, 2-2 NSIC)/Bones (1-7, 0-2 NSIC)
           
            Doubles
No. 1   Sarah Janes/Catherine Gibbens (3-6, 3-2 NSIC) vs. 
            Lindsey Brace/Crystal Overbaugh (0-7, 0-5 NSIC)   
No. 2   Hallie Welk/Kate O'Connell (8-1, 5-0 NSIC)
            Kayla Uphus/Katie Kienitz (2-5, 1-4 NSIC)
No. 3   Meredith Holt/Anastasia Bruss (4-2, 2-0 NSIC)
            Shelby Monahan/Samantha Ritter (2-6, 1-3 NSIC)
 
Perfect: The doubles combination of Hallie Welk and Kate O'Connell lost their eight-match winning streak against Wayne State (Mich.), but still hold a perfect 5-0 mark in NSIC action at No. 2 doubles.
 
Record-Setting: Last season was a record-setting year for the U-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), Meredith Holt (Fr., Lacrosse, Wisc. / Logan HS) and Hannah Smith (Fr., Highlands Ranch, Colo. / Bishop Machebeuf HS).
 
Up Next: The Marauders will be back in action next weekend as they host a pair of matches on March 29. U-Mary will take on St. Cloud State University at 11 a.m. and University of Sioux Falls at 5 p.m.
 
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