Racers Look to Build on Strong Start in Pair of Thursday Matches

Thursday, January 30

Kenlake Tennis Center

1 P.M.

Murray State

Middle Tennessee

Photo by: Dave Winder-Murray State Athletics

Racers Look to Build on Strong Start in Pair of Thursday Matches

1/29/2020 5:50:00 PM | Women's Tennis

Date: Jan. 30, 2020 – 1:00 p.m. / 5:00 p.m.
Site (Venue): Kenlake Tennis Center (Hardin, Ky.)
Murray State Record (Streak): 2-0 (Won 2)
Middle Tennessee Record (Streak): 2-1 (Won 1)
Cumberland (Tenn.) Record (Streak): 2-1 (Lost 1)
Racers All-Time vs. MTSU: 10-31
Racers All-Time vs. Cumberland: 3-0
MSU Next Match: Feb. 7 at Missouri State
MSU Next Home: Feb. 13 vs. Central Arkansas

After opening the season on the road Saturday, Murray State women's tennis will host its first matches of 2020 when they welcome Middle Tennessee and Cumberland (Tenn.) to the Kenlake Tennis Center in Hardin, Kentucky on Thursday.

Last Time Out
The Racers earned two impressive victories to begin the season in their last time out, cruising to a 7-0 victory over IUPUI before defeating Bradley 5-2 in Peoria, Illinois. The Racers dropped just one set in their dominant win over IUPUI, while Stasya Sharapova, Anja Loncarevic, and Marit Kreugel were victorious in both of their respective singles matches against the two opponents. In doubles, the teams of Samantha Muller / Stasya Sharapova, and Marit Kreugel / Sara Bjork also turned in a perfect 2-0 record on the day.

Scouting MTSU:
The Blue Raiders enter Thursday's match with a 2-1 record, after they defeated Liberty in their season opener, followed by 4-3 loss to South Alabama, and then a 6-1 victory over Tennessee State in their last time out. MTSU is coming off a 2019 season that saw them post an 11-13 overall record that included a 2-3 mark against Conference USA opponents. They are led by senior Marta Peris Herrero, who turned in a 9-6 record during singles competition a year ago.

Scouting Cumberland:
The Phoenix dropped their first match of 2020 on January 18^th when they fell to Belmont 7-0 on the road in Nashville, Tennessee. Cumberland finished with an 11-8 overall record during the 2019 campaign, while posting an even 3-3 record in the NAIA's Mid-South Conference. They return a solid core in 2020, including four All-Mid-South selections, including the 2019 Mid-South Player of the Year Ainhoa Garijo Garrido.

All-Time Series:
Thursday will mark the 42^nd all-time meeting between Murray State and Middle Tennessee. The Blue Raiders own the all-time series with a 31-10 record against the Racers, and have won the last 22 meetings - a winning streak that dates back to the 1991 season.

As for Cumberland, Thursday will mark the third all-time meeting between the Phoenix and the Racers, with Murray State winning all three prior encounters by a score of 7-0. Two of those victories came just a year ago in Murray State's 2019 season opener at the Kenlake Tennis Center.