THIS WEEK IN PEACOCK TENNIS... The Upper Iowa University women's tennis team is scheduled to play a pair of NSIC Duals on Apr. 9 and 10. The Peacocks match up against the St. Cloud State University Huskies at 5 p.m. on Friday, Apr. 9 before facing the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Apr. 10. UIU (2-8, 2-5 NSIC) picked up a 5-2 win over Minnesota State University - Mankato their last time out on the court.
 
LAST TIME ON THE COURT... The Peacocks claimed a 5-2 win over NSIC foe Minnesota State University - Mankato in their matchup on Mar. 28. Upper Iowa started strong and took the doubles point after wins in No. 1 and 2 doubles play to take a 1-0 lead in the dual. The Mavericks battled back with wins in No. 5 and 6 singles to take a 2-1 lead, but UIU claimed victories in No. 1, 2, 3, and 4 singles to secure the 5-2 victory in the NSIC Dual. Upper Iowa got a big win in No. 1 singles as Jessa Michieli notched a 6-0, 6-2 advantage to tie the score in the dual. Varvara Ogorodnikova followed that up with a 6-3, 6-4 win in No. 2 singles to give UIU the 3-2 advantage and remain undefeated in both singles and doubles play in two NSIC duals over the last weekend of action. Alejandra Abella clinched the dual for the Peacocks with a win in No. 4 singles as she won the first set 6-1 before winning a hard-fought second set by a score of 7-5. Lina Ziani closed out the dual for Upper Iowa with a 6-4, 6-4 win in straight sets as she also finished the weekend with a perfect record in singles and doubles action across her two NSIC bouts.

SCOUTING ST. CLOUD STATE… The Huskies of St. Cloud State University hold a 4-7 (2-6 NSIC) record on the year, and they won three straight duals prior to a loss against Bemidji State in their last contest. The Huskies are led by Hina Goldsmith as she holds a 5-3 (3-3 NSIC) record in No. 1 singles matches. Jill Kedrowski has compiled an 8-3 (5-3 NSIC) record while going 3-1 in No. 3 singles and 5-2 in No. 4 singles competition. Goldsmith and Kedrowski have combined for a 3-1 (2-0 NSIC) record in No. 1 doubles play. Kedrowski has also paired up with Kylee Frisbie as they are 3-0 in No. 2 doubles matches.

DEALING WITH MINNESOTA DULUTH... The Bulldogs of the University of Minnesota Duluth have a record of 3-5 on the season as they have only matched up against NSIC opponents. UMD is coming off a pair of victories over Bemidji State and Minnesota Crookston in their last weekend of play. The Bulldogs are led by Natalie Cahill as she has compiled a record of 5-2 (4-2 NSIC) in No. 2 singles action. Shay Callaway (6-1, 5-1 NSIC) has bolstered the Bulldogs by going 2-1 in No. 5 singles and 4-0 in No. 6 singles matches. In doubles competition, Abby Johnson and Emily Rahrik lead Minnesota Duluth with a 5-2 record in No. 3 doubles. 

CHAMPIONSHIP IMPLICATIONS... This weekend's NSIC Duals could have a major impact on the end-of-season standings for Upper Iowa, St. Cloud State, and Minnesota Duluth. Minnesota Duluth is currently ranked eighth in the NSIC with a conference record of 3-5. Upper Iowa is sitting in the ninth spot with a 2-5 record in the NSIC, while St. Cloud State is in 10th with their 2-6 conference mark. The 2021 NSIC Tennis Tournament will begin two weekends from now on Apr. 23, and just the top eight teams in the conference get in. If Upper Iowa can secure a pair of wins this weekend, it would put them in the eighth spot heading into the final weekend of regular season action. The last time UIU made the NSIC Tennis Tournament was as a two-seed in 2017. The Peacocks are looking to make their second appearance in the last four tournaments after last season was cut short due to the pandemic. 

LOOKING AHEAD… The Peacocks are scheduled to wrap up their regular season with a pair of NSIC Duals in Sioux Falls, S.D. on Apr. 17 and 18. Upper Iowa is set for a matchup against Augustana University (SD) at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Apr. 17 before facing the University of Sioux Falls at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Apr. 18.