Montana State Tennis Teams Are Big Sky Conference Tourney Bound
4/28/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis, Women's Tennis
The Montana State men’s team enters the championship as the No. 1 seed, after finishing 6-0 in Big Sky Conference play. The Bobcat men will face the lowest remaining seed on Friday at 2 p.m. If the seedings hold, MSU will face either Northern Arizona or Montana in the semifinals. Both championship matches will be played on Saturday, May 1 at 9 a.m./12 noon.
The Bobcat women are currently 8-15 overall and tied with Montana and Idaho State for fourth place during the regular-season. Earlier this season, Montana handed the Bobcats a 5-2 setback in Missoula.
“I like our first round match-up,” said MSU women’s coach Denise Albrecht. “Even though we dropped our match to Montana in the regular-season, I think we’re playing much better tennis. This will be a hard-fought match and I like our chances.”
The MSU women have been led this season by sophomore Vera Vasileva, who has notched a 10-12 dual match record at No. 1 singles. The ‘Cats will also count on Vasileva and Ivette Duran at No. 2 doubles, where the tandem has posted a team best 9-6 mark.
The Montana State men’s team is 15-5 overall and have won six of its last eight matches. The squad is led by sophomore Federico Ueltschi, who has posted a 15-4 dual mark and a 26-7 overall ledger. The native of Mendoza, Argentina is currently ranked 77th in the latest Intercollegiate Tennis Association poll. Ueltschi is the only Big Sky player to rank among the nation’s top 100 this season.
“We were picked fourth in the preseason poll and we’re still using that as motivation,” said MSU men’s coach Mike Phillips. “After going undefeated in Big Sky play, I’m sure the other teams will be gunnin’ for us.
“I think we are very focused and I liked the way we competed at BYU last weekend,” Phillips added. “That match was good preparation for this weekend. It should be an outstanding tournament and the team that keeps its focus and composure will come out on top.”
The champions of the Big Sky tournament will receive the league’s automatic berth to the NCAA Championships.
The Bobcat women are currently 8-15 overall and tied with Montana and Idaho State for fourth place during the regular-season. Earlier this season, Montana handed the Bobcats a 5-2 setback in Missoula.
“I like our first round match-up,” said MSU women’s coach Denise Albrecht. “Even though we dropped our match to Montana in the regular-season, I think we’re playing much better tennis. This will be a hard-fought match and I like our chances.”
The MSU women have been led this season by sophomore Vera Vasileva, who has notched a 10-12 dual match record at No. 1 singles. The ‘Cats will also count on Vasileva and Ivette Duran at No. 2 doubles, where the tandem has posted a team best 9-6 mark.
The Montana State men’s team is 15-5 overall and have won six of its last eight matches. The squad is led by sophomore Federico Ueltschi, who has posted a 15-4 dual mark and a 26-7 overall ledger. The native of Mendoza, Argentina is currently ranked 77th in the latest Intercollegiate Tennis Association poll. Ueltschi is the only Big Sky player to rank among the nation’s top 100 this season.
“We were picked fourth in the preseason poll and we’re still using that as motivation,” said MSU men’s coach Mike Phillips. “After going undefeated in Big Sky play, I’m sure the other teams will be gunnin’ for us.
“I think we are very focused and I liked the way we competed at BYU last weekend,” Phillips added. “That match was good preparation for this weekend. It should be an outstanding tournament and the team that keeps its focus and composure will come out on top.”
The champions of the Big Sky tournament will receive the league’s automatic berth to the NCAA Championships.
Wednesday, June 10
Friday, March 27
Monday, March 23
Friday, March 13
