March 20, 2008

KENNESAW, Ga. - The Kennesaw State women's tennis team will get a break from A-Sun action this weekend as they play host to a pair of non-conference matches. The Owls (4-6, 1-4) will welcome Presbyterian at 3:30 p.m. on Friday and Chattanooga at 1 p.m. on Saturday.

Owls sponsor, Shane's Rib Shack, will be at the KSU Tennis complex for both matches serving food with 10% of all food sales going to support the KSU Tennis program.

The Owls will look to avoid the bad weather that has plagued them on their current homestand, resulting in the postponement of two matches and the cancellation of another.

Their win over Gardner-Webb was pushed back a day, resulting in the cancellation of a match against Radford. After getting started, their match with Lipscomb last Saturday was rescheduled for April 7th because of severe weather.

"We are hoping that things will take a turn for the better for our team this weekend," said Kennesaw State head coach Brandon Padgett. "We have had a run of bad luck, but we are prepared to play, and I know that the ladies will put forth a quality effort."

Ayano Tanaka has been strong of late after being elevated to No. 1 singles because of an injury to Mercedes Cobos. She is 3-1 versus Atlantic Sun Conference opponents, winning her last two matches in straight sets.

The Owls need to get off to a good start in their matches this weekend, as they have won all of the matches in which they have taken the doubles point.

"Both matches this weekend will once again test our resolve as a team," added Padgett on his team's opponents. "We will have to play well in order to come out on the winning side of things."

Presbyterian (3-7) is riding a two game losing streak coming into the match, but has an experienced lineup.

Chattanooga (5-6) has a match tonight with Furman which they enter with a two-match losing streak their own, dropping back to back matches to Charleston Southern and the College of Charleston last week.

"I am really looking toward our upperclass players to show some leadership through strong play and positive attitude," added Padgett. "The younger players feed off of this, and they need to know that how they play, and what they say can have an enormous impact on the team as a whole, and on the outcome of a match."

Attendance at all tennis matches is free and parking is available in the parking deck located off of Frey Road or in visitor's parking by the Student Center.