Women’s Tennis to Play at Rams and Bears; Media Guide Available

2009-10 NAU TENNIS MEDIA GUIDE (PDF)
LIVE STATS (COLORADO STATE)

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Eager to return to action after playing only two matches through the first-three weeks of the season, the Northern Arizona women’s tennis team travels to Colorado to play at Colorado State (2-1) on Saturday night before opening Big Sky-play against Northern Colorado (1-0) on Sunday. The Lumberjacks are 1-1 but have not played since January 30 and have yet to play a match at high elevation. Click the above link for live stats from the Colorado State match beginning at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday.

“This weekend will be huge for us,” director of tennis Kim Bruno said. “We’ve been practicing with a purpose over the last two weeks and I feel really good about us playing at altitude. We will have to play up to our potential against Colorado State, and Northern Colorado has gotten better every year so that will be a tough match as well.”

For additional information, the 2009-10 Northern Arizona men’s and women’s tennis media guide is now available for online viewing in PDF format. The guide will also be available shortly as an online flip book. To access the 2009-10 media guide, click the above link or the media guide link on the top information bar.

Northern Arizona Quick Hits

NAU opened the season with a 4-3 win over UC Santa Barbara in Tempe before dropping a 6-1 decision at Arizona in its last match on January 30…Junior Orsi Golovics posted a win at No. 1 singles against UC Santa Barbara and was named Big Sky women’s tennis player of the week on January 27…Five of the six Lumberjacks who have played during the dual season have even 1-1 records in singles play…Golovics and freshman Malia Wahinepio were ranked No. 35 in the spring season-opening national doubles rankings on January 5 and have a 1-1 record, with updated singles and doubles records due to be released next Thursday (Feb. 18)…The doubles pair of junior Aimee Oki and freshman Nicole Perez have also picked up a doubles victory this season.

Scouting Colorado State

Northern Arizona will represent the third Big Sky opponent for Colorado State already this season, as the Rams have also hosted Portland State and Montana, defeating both Big Sky-foes, 7-0 and 4-3, respectively. The Rams’ pair of home wins came after a season-opening 5-2 loss at Denver. Senior Laura Neal has a 1-2 record at No. 1 singles, while sophomores Lauren Mulhern and Veronika Wojakowska are both 3-0 in dual singles play. The Lumberjacks are 3-1 all-time against Colorado State, though the teams have not met since 1999.

Scouting Northern Colorado

Northern Arizona will play its first Big Sky-match on Sunday afternoon at Northern Colorado, facing the Bears after the two schools meet in men’s tennis on Sunday morning. The Bears are 1-0, winning their only match, 7-0, at home against Portland State on January 31. Twin sisters Tabatha and Tiffany Knop play at No. 1 and 2 singles, respectively, as well as teaming at No. 1 doubles. Northern Colorado was picked to finish fifth in the Big Sky coaches preseason poll under sixth-year head coach Brenda Vlasak. The Lumberjacks lead the all-time series between the squads, 6-2, and have won all-four matches since the Bears joined the Big Sky in 2006.