Junior Martina Fialova (Hluboka, Czech Republic) won the Northern Athletics Conference Number one singles bracket by defeating two-time champion Erin Henrich of Concordia-Wisconsin. Her victory earned her the NAC Player of the Year honors. With a few matches to 
be played in the spring, Fialova still has a chance of earning a berth to the NCAA tournament. The Raiders also had multiple place winners at the NAC championships. Freshman Carol Cayo (Lake Mills, Wis./Lake Mills High School) placed second in the number three singles division, Julie Burg (Richfield, Wis. / Slinger) placed third at number five singles and senior Joy Cirilli (Peoria, Ill./Morton) finished her Raider career placing fourth at number two singles.
In the doubles competition, Fialova and Cirilli placed third at number one doubles, while Burg and Cayo finished fourth at number two doubles. The Raiders complete the 2008 season 7-3 in NAC play, 7-7 overall.
2008 Season Preview
The MSOE women's team is ever growing and should improve on their 8th place Northern Athleics Conferencve finish in 2007. Second year head coach Blake Wentz has five incoming freshman joining the three returning starters from last year.
Senior Joy Cirilli (Peoria, Ill. / Morton High School) will play a key role in the team's success this season. Playing at number one singles in 2007, Cirrili placed fourth at the NAC Championships. Sophomore's Ashley Blise (Kenosha / Tremper) and April Miller (Little Canada, Minn. / North St. Paul) join Cirilli and Bloedorn as veteran players returning to the squad. Blise competed at five singles and three doubles, while Miller played #4 singles and #3 doubles in the MSOE lineup. Look to them to move into the starting lineup immediately.
Martina Fialova, an exchange student from the Czech Republic joins four freshmen on the team. Martina has extensive junior tennis experience, playing national tournaments in the Czech Republic and obtaining a national ranking for girls 18's singles. Coach Wentz looks for her to have an immediate impact on the Raider's lineup.
Coach Wentz is optimistic on the upcoming season. The addition of Martina Fialova as well as Gabby Hendrix, Carol Cayo, Samantha Pekarscik and Julie Berg, all of which have extensive varsity high school tennis experience, will add depth to the Raider's lineup. This new group of talented freshman will help the Raider's improve on their 8th place finish in the NAC last season.
The Raider's Tennis Team has also added a new assistant coach, Scott Broady. Scott also played for the University of Nebraska like coach Wentz and had been the assistant coach for Nebraska Wesleyan University for the past 5 seasons. His coaching background along with his incredible work ethic will help provide quality instruction and motivation to the team.
The season starts for the Raiders on August 30 with a tri-match at Beloit, Wis. and ends with the Northern Athletics Conference on October 4, 2008.
