'Roos Host Central Arkansas in Sunday Dual
2/23/2013 1:00:00 PM | Women's Tennis
The Kansas City women's tennis team hosts Central Arkansas on Sunday afternoon at Woodside Country Club, looking to snap its four-match skid at 1:00 p.m.
THE OPPONENT
Central Arkansas - at Woodside Country Club (Kansas City, Mo), 1:00 p.m.
The Bears are 4-6 overall, and have won three of their last four matches. They are led by No. 1 player Simona Horsikyan with a 5-5 mark, and No. 2 starter Allison Murphy, who posts a 5-4 overall record. The team leader in wins is No. 3-4 player Krizia Buck, at 6-4. The 'Roos are 1-0 all-time against Central Arkansas, winning by a 4-3 score last season in Conway.
WHO IS COMPETING
Kansas City is playing Laura Bouet, Eva Dalvai, Suzan Lisenby, Amelie Amsallem, Gabby Pintos, Madeline Schulte, and Dimitra Stavrianakou in this Sunday's dual.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Sophmore Maddie Schulte was named the Summit League Player of the Week on Monday after going 2-0 in singles action last week. It was her first of the year and second of her career. Against No. 66 Wichita State, Schulte recorded a three-set victory (6-4, 3-6, 10-7) over Summer Schlotterback at No. 6 singles. In her match against UALR, Schulte rallied for a three-set victory (2-6, 6-3, 6-2) against Michaela McShane. It was the second 'Roo to win the award this year as Eva Dalvai claimed the honor earlier this season.
LAST TIME OUT
The 'Roos fell by a 7-0 score to No. 53 Missouri on Wednesday night in Columbia. The only win for UMKC came in doubles at No. 3 as Suzan Lisenby/Amelie Amsallem took an 8-4 win.
RECORD WATCH
UMKC's current roster boasts three of the top four all-time winners in school history in Laura Bouet, Eva Dalvai, and Suzan Lisenby. The group includes three seniors. The roster also has the top three doubles players in school history.
As a team, the 'Roos set a school record with 13 victories last season.
LEAGUE FAVORITES
The Kansas City's men's and women's teams are the favorites to claim the 2013 Summit League Tennis Championships.
The Kangaroo women aim for their first title after setting the school record for wins in each of the past three seasons. UMKC garnered five of seven first-place votes to total 46 points, edging out Fort Wayne's 44 points and two first-place votes.
HEAD COACH KENDELL HALE
Kendell Hale is in his fifth season as the head coach of the UMKC women's tennis program. Overall, the 2012-13 season is Hale's 19th as a collegiate head coach, and compiled a 340-242 overall combined record coming into 2012-13. He has a current 44-68 mark with the women. Hale has coached nine all-league selections and was selected at the 2010 USPTA National Coach of the Year for his turnaround effort at UMKC.
2012 saw the 'Roos again break the school record for wins with 13, and they secured their first winning record since 1991-92 at 13-12. Laura Bouet and freshman Maddie Schulte both earned all-league honors. UMKC finished third in the regular season standings to qualify for the league tournament for the third straight year.
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.
Players Mentioned
