Middle Tennessee set to make spring debut Friday evening

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - The 2011 edition of Middle Tennessee women's tennis will open dual match action at Belmont at 6 p.m. Friday at the Wildwood Tennis Club in Nashville, Tenn. The match is slated to begin one hour later than previously announced due to court availability.

"We are excited about getting the season underway," first-year head coach Melissa Schaub said. "Throughout the fall and the first couple weeks of January, all of our practices have been competitive. As a team, we have had good focus and energy, and are looking forward to channeling that into our first match Friday."

Schaub takes over the program after the Blue Raiders concluded 2010 with an 11-10 record. Five letterwinners return from a year ago for her young squad, which features zero seniors, four juniors, two sophomores and a freshman.

Three players reached double-digit singles victories last spring, including a pair of returners. Sophomore Yuiri Nomoto tallied a team-best 11 wins, while junior Taylor Coffey is also back after posting 10.

In addition to the young team, Schaub also is working with a new assistant coach this season, Mariana Muraca, a former standout at Northern Iowa.

Middle Tennessee began last season with a 6-1 win over the Bruins Feb. 3, 2010. The Blue Raiders won five out of the six singles matches and swept all three doubles contests for the victory.

Follow the Blue Raiders on Twitter @MTAthletics for continued updates.