Two weekend matches on the docket for Blue Raiders

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee women's tennis heads west to Memphis this weekend for a pair of matches, beginning at 10 a.m. Friday against Sun Belt foe ULM and concluding at 2 p.m. Saturday against the host Lady Tigers.

"Last year, we lost to Memphis, but with a year of experience and a year-and-a-half of practice preparation, we feel our chances are much better this season," head coach Alison Ojeda said. "The team has put in the hard work and dedication and we know what we want to do and how to accomplish it. This group of Blue Raiders is a completely different team from a year ago and we focus on the simple things that will help us win matches, and that has translated into success this spring.

"ULM is a conference opponent, so it will be good to face them before heading to the conference tournament in a couple weeks. We will do everything we can to get the win as we anticipate a tough matchup."

Middle Tennessee brings an 8-5 record into the weekend action, having won three straight matches. The Blue Raiders swept through a pair of contests last weekend in Birmingham, Ala., knocking off UAB 5-2 and defeating UTEP 4-0.

Sophomore Taylor Coffey paces the squad with an 8-2 singles record, while sophomore Marietta Bigus and freshman Yuiri Nomoto have tallied seven wins thus far.

Two doubles pairings have accumulated six victories in 2010. Nomoto and fellow newcomer, sophomore Carla Nava, along with Bigus and senior Natalie Araya have reached the half-dozen mark.

ULM owns a 9-3 record entering Friday's match after dropping a 4-3 decision to Memphis Wednesday. The Tigers are 10-14 after picking up the win and will face UAB Friday before squaring off against the Blue Raiders Saturday.

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