The MSOE women's tennis returns from a record 7-7 overall record and 7-3 in conference play in 2008. The Raiders graduated number two singles player Joy Cirilli, while exchange student Martina Fialova returned to the Czech Republic. Fialova was the conference player of the year at number one singles.
The roster has changed significantly as the Raiders look to fill the void left by their number one and two singles and the number one doubles team. Carol Cayo (Lake Mills, Wis. Lake Mills) will move from the number three spot and compete at number two this season, while Gabby Hendrix (Milwaukee, Wis. / Milwaukee School of Languages) makes the leap from number four singles into the number one role. Hendrix was 3-8 in singles play, while Cayo was 9-9 in singles action, 10-7 on the doubles court.
Julie Burg (Richfield, Wis./ Slinger) moves up from the number five singles position to number two for the Raiders in 2009. Last season, Burg was 9-8 in singles, 8-8 in doubles play. Samantha Pekarscik (Plainfiedl Ill. / Plainfield North) will see time at number four singles in 2009. She finished the 2008 season with a 1-0 singles record. Ashley Blise, a 5-2 junior, will compete at the number 4 or 5 singles position in 2009. Blise had 4-9 singles and a 3-5 doubles record for the 2008 season.
Joining the Raiders for the 2009 season will be sophomore Marguerite Wellstein (Oak Creek, Wis. / Oak Creek) and freshman Courtney Grant (Wauwatosa, Wis. / Tosa West). Wellstein, who plays basketball for the Raiders, picks up the racket for the first time since high school, while Grant played tennis at Tosa West high school and prepares to compete at the college level.
The team will have a long road ahead of them to compete for the NAC title. Concordia-Wisconsin is the favorite with Edgewood College close behind.
