This Week in Peacock Tennis… Upper Iowa women's tennis heads to Winona, Minn. this weekend to compete with Bemidji State and Minnesota Crookston. They go head to head with the Beavers at the Winona Tennis Center at 1 p.m. on Saturday and match up against the Golden Eagles on Sunday at 1 p.m. 
 
Peacock Hue Review… Upper Iowa women's tennis traveled to Winona State last weekend for their first match of the spring season. The Peacocks fell in their season opener as the Warriors swept them 7-0 at the Winona Tennis Center. UIU started off their season 0-1 (0-1 NSIC).
 
NSIC Preseason Poll… Augustana University was again selected in the NSIC Preseason Women's Tennis Coaches' Poll to win the NSIC. The Vikings are the 12-time defending NSIC Champions,  have won 140 consecutive NSIC regular season matches and have been picked to win the league every year since the preseason polls inception in 2018. The Vikings amassed 121 points and all 11 first place votes after going 21-2 and 11-0 in the NSIC in 2022, while making an appearance in the NCAA Central Region Tournament. Minnesota State was selected second with 103 points and the other first place vote. The Peacocks were chosen 10th in the 12-team field, while Bemidji State was selected seventh and Minnesota Crookston was picked 12th. 
 
Backward Glance with Bemidji… The Peacocks lead  the series against the Beavers with an 11-5 advantage, dating all the way back to 2008. Upper Iowa won the first 11 matches in a row, but have been unable to defeat Bemidji in the last five matchups. Last season, the UIU women's tennis team was narrowly bested by Bemidji State 4-3 in their dual. The Peacocks picked up wins at Nos. 1, 3, & 5 singles, but the doubles point proved to be the difference as UIU won only the No. 2 doubles match.
 
Backward Glance with Minnesota Crookston… Upper Iowa is 13-0 against Minnesota Crookston, tracing back to the 2009-10 season. The Golden Eagles have never put up more than two points against the Peacocks in a dual. Last season, UIU swept all three doubles matches and picked up wins at Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5 singles to cruise to a 6-1 victory. 
 
Up Next… The Peacocks are off next weekend as they continue to prepare for non-conference foes, Grinnell College and Truman State, in two weeks. They take on the Pioneers on Sunday, Mar. 5 at 3 p.m. in Grinnell, Iowa and compete against Truman State the next day at 2 p.m. in Kirksville, Mo.