'Roos Set to Open Home Schedule With Cougars and Panthers
2/7/2013 11:03:00 PM | Women's Tennis
THE OPPONENTS
SIU-Edwardsville
SIUE is 2-1 on the season and comes off a 4-3 loss against Bradley last weekend. Freshman Monique Krutak has been the leader since arriving at SIUE from Australia in January, going 3-0 as the Cougars' No. 2 singles player. UMKC is 0-1 against SIUE, dropping a 4-3 decision in March of 2011.
Northern Iowa
The Panthers will get their season started with Kansas City Saturday. UNI is led by Phoebe Walker and Krissy Lankelma. It is 10-0 all-time vs. UMKC in dual action, defeating the 'Roos 4-3 last season.
WHO IS COMPETING
Kansas City is sending Laura Bouet, Eva Dalvai, Suzan Lisenby, Amelie Amsallem, Gabriela Pintos, Maddie Schulte, and Dimitra Stavrianakou to compete in this weekend's duals.
TEAM CAPTAINS
This season's team captains are seniors Laura Bouet, Eva Dalvai, and Suzan Lisenby.
LAST TIME OUT
The 'Roos knocked off Drake for the first time in school history last Saturday, 4-3. Eva Dalvai went 2-0, winning both her doubles and singles matches at No. 2. For her efforts, she earned her second career Summit League Player of the Week honor.
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 43-65 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
