THIS WEEKEND IN PEACOCK TENNIS... The Upper Iowa University women's tennis team matches up against a pair of NSIC foes in Mankato, Minn. as they face Southwest Minnesota State University and Minnesota State University, Mankato. The Peacocks take on the Mustangs on Saturday, Feb. 26, at 3:30 p.m., before a matchup against the Mavericks on Sunday, Feb. 27, at 8:30 a.m.
LAST WEEKEND IN PEACOCK TENNIS... Upper Iowa split a pair of NSIC duals in Bemidji, Minn. despite finishing with a 9-5 advantage in team points on the weekend. The Peacocks fell 4-3 against Bemidji State University in a tightly contested dual on Feb. 19 before winning 6-1 against the University of Minnesota Crookston on Feb. 20. The results pushed UIU to a 5-4 record and a 2-2 mark in NSIC duals, tying for the seventh-best mark in the conference.
NO. 1 BETTER... The top singles spot has been strong for the Peacocks as
Charalampia Grammatikaki is 8-1 in No. 1 matches. The freshman is undefeated in her four NSIC singles matches, and her 4-0 mark at No. 1 singles is the only flawless record at the top singles spot in the conference (min. 3 decisions). Grammatikaki has also gone 3-1 in 2022 at No.1 doubles with partner
Jessa Michieli, tying for the fourth-best No. 1 doubles mark in the NSIC.
THREE'S COMPANY... Varvara Ogorodnikova has compiled a 6-1 record at No. 3 singles, tying for the third-best No. 3 singles mark in the NSIC. The sophomore has compiled two different three-match winning streaks this season and is looking to continue her current three-match streak this weekend.
DYNAMIC DUO... The UIU duo of Ogorodnikova and
Lina Ziani have orchestrated a 6-2 overall record at No. 2 doubles this season. After sweeping the Beavers and Golden Eagles, the pair has gone 3-1 in NSIC contests, tying for the third-best No. 2 doubles mark in the NSIC. Ogorodnikova and Ziani have gone 11-2 in their last 13 No. 2 doubles matches dating back to last season.
FOUR FOR FIVE... Padmasree Murugan has won four consecutive No. 5 singles matches and five of her last six. The newcomer claimed the biggest win of the day against Minnesota Crookston with a 6-0, 6-0 win in the No. 5 singles match after winning 6-4, 6-1 against Bemidji State. Her win against BSU tied the dual at 3-3 and gave UIU two chances at a match point in No. 6 singles before the team ultimately fell 4-3.
BUCKING THE MUSTANGS... Southwest Minnesota State holds a 9-2 record and is 3-1 in NSIC contests this season. Last weekend, the Mustangs fell 7-0 against No. 16 Augustana University on Feb. 19 before winning 6-1 against the University of Sioux Falls on Feb. 20. SMSU's individuals have combined for a 54-39 record in singles play and a 25-20 doubles mark. Courtenay Leonard (1-3 NSIC) leads SMSU with a 4-4 record at No. 1 singles while going 2-1 in the No. 2 spot. The rest of SMSU's lineup goes through regular changes as four different players have lined up at Nos. 2, 3, and 5, while five different Mustangs have played in the Nos. 4 and 6 spots. SMSU has sported four unique Nos. 1 and 2 doubles pairings and seven different No. 3 doubles duos. The Peacocks hold a 10-3 advantage in the all-time series between the teams, but the Mustangs have won the last three duals, including a 5-2 victory last season. Ogorodnikova and Ziani combined for a win at No. 2 doubles before each winning at No. 2 and No. 3 singles, respectively, in straight sets. The Mustangs are scheduled to play Winona State University before playing the Peacocks.
MANAGING THE MAVERICKS... Minnesota State has gone 9-3 (3-1 NSIC) to start the season. Last weekend, the Mavericks split their duals, winning 5-2 over Sioux Falls on Feb. 19 before losing 7-0 against No. 16 Augustana University on Feb. 20. MSU's individuals have combined for a 64-45 record in singles play and a 30-23 doubles mark. Tristen Bryant-Otake, the NSIC Player of the Week in week two, paces the Mavericks with a 9-2 (3-1 NSIC) record at No. 1 singles. Elizabeth Felderman (2-1 NSIC) is 4-0 at No. 2 singles and 4-2 in the No. 3 spot. Hana Minisy is 7-1 (3-1 NSIC) in No. 4 singles. In doubles, MSU is 9-3 overall at No. 1, with the pairings of Bryant-Otake / Avery Stilwell (6-2, 3-1 NSIC) and Bryant-Otake / Minisy (3-0) leading the way. The Peacocks hold an 8-4 edge in the all-time series between the teams, including a 5-2 win over the Mavericks last season. UIU won the doubles point before clinching the Nos. 1 through 4 singles matches in straight sets. The Mavericks are scheduled to play Winona State and Bemidji State before playing the Peacocks.
LOOKING AHEAD... The Peacocks have a two-week break between duals before playing a pair against NSIC opponents in Winona, Minn. on Mar. 19 and 20. UIU will see St. Cloud State University at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Mar. 19, before a matchup against the University of Minnesota Duluth at 1:45 p.m. on Sunday, Mar. 20.
