Jan. 28, 2005

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The University of Memphis women's tennis team will open the 2004-05 dual season against conference foe USF (1-0), Sunday, at noon.

The Lady Tigers will be led by the trio of senior Marlene Dirnstorfer and juniors Andrea Feichtinger and Kristin Noble. Dirnstorfer is a Third Team All-Conference USA singles player and was an Academic All-District honoree as a junior. Feichtinger and Noble both have seen extensive playing time in the previous two seasons, and will likely play in spots 2 or 3 throughout the singles line-up.

Sophomores Alex Tjioe and Christina Wieser each saw a lot of playing time in their first collegiate semesters last spring, and now have an entire year of college tennis under their respective belts to help out in the bottom half of the line-up. Freshman Kathrin Kohl, who won the No. 7 singles title at the Memphis tournament this fall, and Brooke Cowie, who also saw a lot of playing time this fall, will offer some depth throughout the singles and doubles line-up, and each will probably see significant playing time.

USF swept Stetson in its season-opener, with sophomore Neyssa Etienne picking up a 6-0, 7-5 win at No. 1 singles after teaming with freshman Courtney Vernon for an 8-2 win at No. 1 doubles. Vernon also picked up a singles victory, netting a 6-1, 6-0 win at No. 2 singles, while Gabriela Duch, Fabiana Taverna, Liz Cruz and Louisa Obando rounded out the remaining singles victories, respectively.

Sunday's match will be Memphis' only home match until Feb. 25th, when the Lady Tigers host another C-USA foe as Saint Louis rolls into town. Between now and then, the Lady Tigers will face UT-Chattanooga, Georgia State, Tennessee Tech, Murray State and perennially-ranked UALR, all on the road.