DULUTH, MN – The University of Mary tennis team travels to Duluth, MN, to take on the St. Cloud State University on Saturday, February 20, at 4:30 pm and University of Minnesota Duluth on Sunday, February 21, at 8:30 am. The Marauders are coming off a 7-0 win over Upper Iowa University and a 6-1 loss over Winona State University.
The Marauders claimed all three doubles matches in their match against UIU to earn one team point. UMary also won all six singles matches to earn a shutout over the Peacocks.
TASHA DEMBO – NSIC PLAYER OF THE WEEK
University of Mary tennis player Tasha Dembo was named the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Player of the Week for her efforts against Upper Iowa University and Winona State University.
Dembo's great performance started on Saturday as she won both her doubles and singles competition against UIU. She was victorious over the Peacock's Varvara Ogorodnikova 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 in number one singles. Dembo teamed with Yusra Hegy to win 6-1 in number one doubles against Ogorodnikova and Lina Ziani.
On Sunday Dembo once again earned victories in both doubles and singles competition against WSU. Dembo defeated the Warriors Beth Murman 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 in number one singles. She teamed with Hegy as the duo would win 6-2 against WSU's Murman and Audrey Delich.
LAST TIME THESE TEAMS MET
Last year UMary defeated SCSU 6-1. Tasha Dembo, Yusra Hegy, Jamie Stoppler, Danielle Wolf and Kali Asvig all earned victories in singles action. Tasha Dembo and Yusra Hegy claimed number one doubles 6-4. Danielle Wolf and Jamie Stoppler took number two doubles 6-4.
The Marauders were victorious over the Bulldogs last season 5-2. Dembo, Hegy, Stoppler, Asvig all took home victories in singles action. Dembo and Hegy won number one doubles 6-3. Kelsey Lajom and Asvig won number three doubles 6-4.
OPPO RESEARCH – ST. CLOUD STATE UNIVERSITY
St. Cloud State is projected to finish 11th in the NSIC according to the 2021 NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll. They currently sit tied for 8th in the NSIC with a 1-3 record. Head coach Berit Merrill enters her third season as the coach of the Huskies and has gone 11-22 over that span. Senior transfer Frances Hina Goldsmith was named as the SCSU Player to Watch.
OPPO RESEARCH – UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA DULUTH
Minnesota Duluth is projected to finish 7th in the NSIC. UMD has gone 1-3 thus far in the season and is tied with SCSU for 8th in the NSUC. Senior Natalie Cahill was named the Bulldog's player to watch as she went 12-2 in 2019 singles competition. Head coach Jessica Worden enters his sixth season as UMD coach. In 2019 she led the Bulldogs to their most wins as they went 11-5.
ROSTER RUNDOWN
Returning players to the Marauders includes seniors Tasha Dembo, Yusra Hegy and Kelsey Lajom, juniors Kali Askvig and Jaime Stoppler, and sophomores Sarah Zielinski and Heidi Jacobson. UMary added three freshmen to the team with Ellie Schmidt, Samantha Purpura and Emily Patton.
UMARY PROJECTED TO FINISH FOURTH
UMary, led by the 2019 Northern Sun Coach of the Year Vida Saliendra, is projected to finish fourth in the NSIC after having one of their most successful seasons last year. The Marauders went 9-4 overall and 7-1 in the NSIC, finishing third in the NSIC before the season was canceled due to COVID-19.
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