Lady Bulldog Tennis Set For Opening Round Of SEC Tournament
Taking the 12th seed in the tournament, the Lady Bulldogs pulled the early morning slate where they will take on the #5 seed Commodores of Vanderbilt. Last year, State faced Vandy in the opening round of the SEC's as they took a tough 4-0 defeat, ending their 2010 season.
In the regular season, MSU dropped a 7-0 decision in Nashville to the Commodores and look to redeem that loss in the early round match-up.
A trio of freshman including Alexandra Perper, Roseline Dion and Vivian Pietraroia are travelling to Knoxville this week for their first experience in the SEC Tournament. Perper has compiled six victories this season on court 1 while Pietraroia went on a three-match winning streak beginning with a victory over Georgia State in February.
Juniors Mariia Ryzhova, Olesya Tsigvintseva and Jordan Zachary are also heading east. Ryzhova and Tsigvintseva have both seen action in the SEC's so their experience will be a major guide for State's rookies. Sophomore Danielle Terpko competed in the sixth position last year in the SEC's and also battled on court 2 doubles alongside former Lady Bulldog Radka Ferancova.
This is senior Elizabeth Hall's last tournament in the Maroon and White as she will finish her four-year tenure at the conclusion of the season.
Match time is slated for 8 a.m. CT at the Goodfriend Indoor Tennis Center.
If Mississippi State advances past the Commodores, their next match will be on Friday, April 22 at 8 a.m. CT against the 4th seeded Crimson Tide of Alabama.
Live stats will be available on www.mstateathletics.com.
For more information on the 2011 SEC Women's Tennis Tournament, visit http://www.utladyvols.com/sports/w-tennis/spec-rel/2011-sec-tournament.html.