BISMARCK, ND – A youthful starting lineup featuring several returners takes to the court for the University of Mary when the Marauders open the regular season this weekend. Between singles and double combinations, UMary will have four seniors and five underclassmen in the anticipated lineup against the University of Minnesota Duluth and St. Cloud State University on Saturday and Sunday, February 10-11.
 
The two Northern Sun matches will be played in Fargo, ND. The Marauders open with the Bulldogs at 2 pm on Saturday before wrapping up with the Huskies at 9 am on Sunday. 
 
Despite the graduation of a trio of four-year contributors in Catherine Gibbons, Meredith Holt and Anastasia Bruss, who all played roles in the 2014 Marauders NSIC tournament runner-up finish, the Marauders return four starters and seven letter winners.
 
Sophomore Lucia Bolibruch competed at #2 singles and in both #1/#2 on doubles in her first collegiate season. She will see action in the top two slots again this season. Senior Eileen Leong compiled a record of 8-6 in singles in the 3-4-5 slots. Bolibruch and Leong are team captains for UMary this season.
 
With a strong close to the season, senior Christina Bremar finished 7-4 last year playing lower singles. Sophomore Danielle Wolf also returns after playing 14 singles matches for UMary, the third-highest total on the squad last year.
 
Additionally, the Marauders return their doubles combo of junior Lisa Anderson and senior Shanna Stevenson that went 9-6 playing in the #3 slot.
 
Sophomore Jennifer Stover is back after seeing limited action in 2017. Freshman Kelsey Lajom was named the Marauders NSIC Player to Watch this season. After a strong fall campaign, the well-rounded Lajom has an opportunity to make an impact towards the top of the lineup. Freshmen, Julie Donnelly and Emily Bichler may also see action early in the year.
 
After playing on the road the first two weekends of the season the Marauders host Southwest Minnesota Sate and Minnesota State University on February 23-24, the only two home matches of the season.  
 
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