Final road match up next for Middle Tennessee

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - The Middle Tennessee women's tennis team will compete in its final road match of the 2010 season when it squares off against the Denver Pioneers at 4 p.m. Central Saturday in Denver, Colo., at Stapleton Tennis Pavilion.

"The girls have been practicing really hard this week to prepare for this match," assistant coach Melissa Schaub said. "Denver just had a battle with North Texas, so this is a great opportunity to play a tough conference opponent. I really think we are starting to peak at the right time."

The Blue Raiders own an 8-6 record entering the meeting with results from last Friday's match against ULM still pending after a protest was filed. Middle Tennessee is 4-5 in true road matches this spring but has won two of its last three coming into the Denver contest.

MT will have played 10 consecutive matches away from home following Saturday's tilt. All of the previous four home contests have been indoors at the Nashboro Village Facility in Nashville, Tenn.

Sophomores Taylor Coffey and Marietta Bigus pace the Blue Raiders with eight singles wins apiece. Freshman Yuiri Nomoto is just one back with seven victories in her inaugural collegiate season.

Three different doubles pairings have collected six triumphs, including a 6-1 ledger by Coffey and senior Anna Djananova. Nomoto and sophomore Carla Nava, along with Bigus and senior Natalie Araya, also have combined for the half-dozen wins.

Denver brings a 7-13 mark into the match, but has won four of its last five outings. It will be the final home showing of the season for the Pioneers, who are led by reigning Sun Belt Player of the Week and No. 88-ranked Ute Schnoy. She will be joined by Julia Bauregger and Lorinda Boothman in their final home contest and last regular-season match before the Sun Belt Tournament.

Schnoy and Sophia Bergner also are listed at No. 60 in the latest ITA doubles rankings.

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