SIOUX FALLS, SD – The University of Mary tennis team (9-6, 8-3 Northern Sun) competes in the opening round of the NSIC Tournament against Minnesota State University – Mankato on Friday, April 22, at 4:30 pm. The winner of this match takes on the winner of Augustana University/St. Cloud State University in the Semifinals of the tournament on Saturday, April 22.

Watch Live
Fans can watch the event live at: https://playthepointe.com/watch-live

Last Time Out
The Marauders swept their final matches against Bemidji State University (7-0) and the University of Minnesota Crookston (7-0).  

About the Opposition
Minnesota State University – Mankato has a 15-9 record overall while going 8-3 in the Northern Sun. Junior Tristen Bryant-Otake has compiled an 11-3 record in number one singles. Freshman Elizabeth Felderman has an 8-5 record in number three singles. Freshman Hana Minisy has recorded a 5-5 record in number four singles.

UMary Stats
Chloe Chong is 9-6 overall in number one singles and has gone 8-3 in conference action.

Ilona Freitag has compiled a 9-6 record in number two singles while going 8-3 in the NSIC.

Doaa Farouk Mohamed has earned a 13-2 record in number three singles. Mohamed is undefeated in conference play with an 10-1 record.

Emily Needham has amassed a 9-6 record in number four singles. Needham has a 7-4 record in the NSIC.

Heidi Jacobson is 4-10 in number five singles and 4-6 in the Northern Sun.

Callie McDonald has a record of 5-9 in number six singles. McDonald has a record of 4-6 in conference play, competing once in number five singles. 

NSIC Preseason Poll
UMary is projected to finish third in the Northern Sun according to the NSIC preseason coaches' poll. UMary finished fourth last year in the NSIC after going 8-3 in conference play.

Player to Watch
Chloe Chong was named the 2022 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Tennis Player to Watch for the Marauders. Chong was a team captain while playing in Malaysia and helped lead her team to a bronze medal in the ASEAN school games.

New Faces
Head coach Vida Saliendra brings in a young and dynamic team as five of the nine roster spots are taken by freshmen. Chloe Chong, Doaa Farouk Mohamed, Ilona Freitag, Callie McDonald and Emily Needham will all play a big role in the upcoming 2022 season.

Mohamed won several national titles while competing in Cairo, Egypt. Freitag won several individual and team competitions during her time in Switzerland. McDonald captained her high school team for her senior year and received All-Conference Honorable Mention honors for her efforts.

Needham was honored in 2018 as the USTA Wyoming Junior Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year. In 2021 she was the recipient of the Jim Steadman High School Athletic Award for leadership on and off the court.  The 4-time All-State recipient won back-to-back Wyoming High School #1 singles State championships in 2019 & 2020.

Returners
A notable returner for the Marauders is Heidi Jacobson, who competed as a six last season for the Marauders. She went 5-5 overall and 7-3 in doubles competition. Samantha Purpura and Ellie Schmit return to UMary as Sophomores.

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