Racers Slated for Two Matches in Birmingham

Saturday, February 22

Birmingham, Ala.

12 P.M.

Murray State

UAB

Photo by: Dave Winder-Murray State Athletics

2/21/2020 8:46:00 AM | Women's Tennis

Date: Feb. 22-23
Site: Birmingham, Ala.
Murray State Record (Streak): 7-2 (Lost 1)
UAB Record (Streak): 4-4 (Won 1)
Samford Record (Streak): 4-4 (Lost 3)
Racers All-Time vs. Opponents: 11-14 (3-8 vs. UAB, 8-6 Samford)
MSU Next Match: Feb. 28^th at Southern Indiana
MSU Next Home: March 13^th vs. Tennessee State

Birmingham, Alabama will be the next stop for Murray State women's tennis after playing three matches at home a week ago. The Racers will look forward to a two-match weekend in Birmingham, beginning with a Saturday meeting with UAB, followed by a Sunday competition with Samford.

Last Time Out
The Racers earned victories in two of three home matches last week, defeating Central Arkansas and Wright State 5-2 before falling to Western Kentucky in a hard-fought 4-3 decision.

Both Stasya Sharapova and Marit Kreugel went undefeated through three singles matches, while Kreugel also went perfect in doubles with teammate Sara Bjork.

Entering the Weekend
At 7-2 overall, the Racers have found a rhythm since beginning the 2020 season. They have seen great success in doubles, dropping the doubles point just one time through nine matches on the year.

Individually, Murray State is led by freshman Marit Kreugel – who enters the weekend unbeaten in all competitions in 2020. At 18-0 overall, the Vleuten, Netherlands native currently carries a 9-0 record in both singles and doubles matches, competing in doubles with partner Sara Bjork.

Stasya Sharapova has also played some of her best tennis of the year in recent matches, as the junior from Astana, Kazakhstan has won her last four outings in singles – improving to 6-2 on the year in that category.

All-Time Series:
The Racers have a bit of history with both weekend opponents, as they carry a combined record of 11-14 between the two. Beginning with UAB, the Racers are 3-8 against the Blazers in the all-time series that dates back to 1983, with UAB entering the weekend as winners of the last seven meetings between the two sides. The most recent clash was a 4-0 result in 2018 in Birmingham.
As for Samford, the Racers hold an 8-6 advantage over the Bulldogs in a series that dates back to 1988. Samford has emerged victorious in the last four meetings, however, with the most recent coming in a 6-1 decision during the 2018 season in Birmingham.

Scouting UAB:
The Blazers enter the weekend at .500 with a 4-4 record, having defeated Samford 4-3 in their last time out. Coming off a 2019 season where they went 6-14 with a 2-2 mark in Conference USA competition, they are fueled by Jana Hecking and Adela Wasserbauerova who have gone 3-3 and 4-2 at the #1 and #2 singles positions respectively in 2020.

Scouting Samford:
The Bulldogs also bring a 4-4 record in to the weekend, but have struggled as of late as they currently ride a three-game losing streak after starting the season 4-1. Their previous outing resulted in a 4-3 defeat to UAB. Samford went 13-11 a year ago, with a 3-4 record against conference opponents, and are led by Cindy Oest and Arianna Beltrame who have gone 5-0 and 7-1 at a mix of mostly #5 and #6 singles positions during the 2020 campaign. The doubles team of Elsa Pool / R.J. Van Rensburg has also posted a 4-2 mark while competing at #1 doubles.