March 24, 2004

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The University of Memphis women's tennis team (6-9, 1-0 C-USA) will travel to the Carolinas for a trio of matches this week, beginning with a non-conference match at UNC Wilmington, Friday.

The Lady Tigers are being led by senior Marlene Dirnstorfer. After playing No. 5 singles last year, the senior has stepped up and is currently 9-4 at No. 1 singles and 9-4 at No. 1 doubles with fellow senior Viktoria Gruber. Dirnstorfer went 3-0 at No. 1 singles last week, picking up wins over opponents from Murray State, SIU Carbondale and UALR.

Dirnstorfer and her teammates will open on the road at UNC Wilmington against C-USA foe East Carolina, Wednesday, before facing host UNCW at 2 p.m., Thursday.

The Lady Tigers will then spend a day traveling from North Carolina down to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and after a day on the beach, will face Coastal Carolina, Saturday before departing for the drive back to Memphis.

Memphis will travel to Birmingham, Ala, next weekend to face a trio of C-USA schools before the league tournament begins Apr. 15-18th at the University of Louisville. Memphis will play host UAB, April 2nd, before squaring off against Cincinnati on the 3rd and DePaul on the 4th. The Lady Tigers will then wrap up their home season against Arkansas State on Apr. 12th, the final home match for senior Viktoria Gruber.