THIS WEEK IN PEACOCK TENNIS... The Upper Iowa University women's tennis team travels to Winona, Minn. on Sunday, Feb. 13, for a non-conference dual against the College of Saint Benedict. The Peacocks match up against the NCAA DIII Bennies at 9 a.m. as the teams battle it out at the Winona Tennis Center.

LAST WEEKEND IN PEACOCK TENNIS... The Peacocks went 1-1 in a pair of NSIC Duals, their first contests of the spring. The Peacocks picked up a 4-3 decision over Minnesota State University Moorhead on Saturday, Feb. 5, before falling 5-2 against the University of Mary on Sunday, Feb. 6. Against the Dragons, the Peacocks won the doubles point and clinched the team decision with wins at No. 1, 2, and 3 singles to secure their first conference victory of the season. Against the Marauders, the Peacocks added wins at No. 1 and No. 5 singles but dropped the team dual.

CLINCHING IN THE CLUTCH... Jessa Michieli was an integral part of UIU's win over MSUM, starting with a win in No. 1 doubles to help the Peacocks claim the doubles point. In No. 2 singles, Michieli won the first set 6-1, but her Dragon opponent responded with a 6-0 win in set two to turn the tide. In the tie-breaking third set, Michieli got back to her winning ways with a dominant 7-1 performance in the tiebreak after a competitive 7-6 set, securing the team win for Upper Iowa.

NEWCOMERS COMING THROUGH...  In the women's tennis spring openers, newcomer Charalampia Grammatikaki went 2-0 at No. 1 singles and 1-1 at No. 1 doubles to help UIU to a weekend split that included a 4-3 win in their opening match against MSU Moorhead. The freshman overcame a 2-1 doubles deficit with partner Michieli, winning four straight games to clinch the doubles point with a 6-3 win. UIU's top individual won 6-0, 6-3 against MSUM and 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 against UMary. Grammatikaki improved to an impressive 5-1 record in No. 1 singles on the season, and she is 3-3 in doubles contests (2-3 at No. 1, 1-0 at No. 2). Padmasree Murugan also contributed to the weekend with a win in No. 5 singles against UMary. Murugan persevered through a tightly contested opening set, winning 7-6 after an 8-6 win in the tiebreak. The UIU newcomer's UMary opponent answered with a 6-2 win in the second set, but Murugan claimed another close win in set three to clinch victory, winning 1-0 (10-8).

BATTLING THE BENNIES... This season, Saint Benedict has compiled a 4-1 record and has won four straight after falling to Southwest Minnesota State University in their season opener. The NCAA DIII Bennies picked up an 8-1 win over the University of Northwestern (MN) in their first dual of the spring on Feb. 5. CSB's individuals have combined for a 22-8 record in singles play and a 10-5 doubles mark. First-year player Ashley Tarrolly leads the way with a 4-1 record at the top singles spot, while senior Lily Fredericks has gone 4-1 at No. 2 singles. Tarrolly and Fredericks have combined to go 4-1 as Saint Benedict's top doubles team.

LOOKING AHEAD... The Peacocks are scheduled to travel to Bemidji, Minn. for a pair of NSIC Duals on Feb. 19 and 20. UIU is set to battle Bemidji State University at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 19, before competing against the University of Minnesota Crookston at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 20.