UMKC Women's Tennis Heads to St. Louis to Start Busy Weekend
3/8/2012 4:26:00 PM | Women's Tennis
THIS WEEK
The UMKC women's tennis team (4-5) looks to continue its win streak when it heads to the other side of the state for a contest with Saint Louis University, followed by a dual on Monday at home against Division II power Abilene Christian.
THE OPPONENTS
» UMKC vs. SLU » Mar. 9, 2012 » 2 p.m.
Saint Louis boasts a 7-5 overall record. The Billikens are led by No. 1 player Jenny Nalepa with a 14-7 overall mark, while No. 2-4 player Brooke Urzendowski is 14-8 overall. Mia Elmore at No. 3-4 is 13-9 overall as well. UMKC has never defeated the Billikens, going 0-12 all time, and 0-3 under Hale.
» UMKC vs. ACU » Mar. 12, 2012 » 2 p.m.
Abilene Christian is a NCAA Division II member, and boasts an 11-2 overall record. The Wildcats have defeated five Division I school already this season. They have eight players with two losses or less on the season, including four starters with only one loss. This will be the first ever meeting between UMKC and ACU.
LOAD 'EM UP
UMKC's current roster boasts four of the top five all-time winners in school history in Laura Bouet, Jillian Yakominich, Eva Dalvai, and Suzan Lisenby. The group includes three juniors and a senior (Yakominich).
The roster also has five of the top eight doubles players in school history, with the four mentioned players, along with senior Jessica Ball.
HEAD COACH KENDELL HALE
Kendell Hale is in his fifth season as the head coach of the UMKC women's tennis program. Overall, the 2011-12 season is Hale's 18th as a collegiate head coach, and compiled a 317-214 overall combined record coming into 2012. He has a current 34-56 mark with the women. Hale has coached seven all-league selections and was selected at the 2009 USPTA Missouri Valley College Coach of the Year.
In 2011, Hale guided the 'Roos to a school record 12 victories and a 6-2 mark in Summit League play. UMKC finished third in the regular season standings to qualify for the league tournament for the second straight year, and made it to the championship match for the first time in school history.
Before joining the UMKC coaching staff, Hale spent 11 years as the head coach at Rockhurst University, where he led the Hawks to nine NCAA Tournament appearances.
