First serve
Augustana hosts two conference opponents this weekend, looking to improve on their 4-0 overall record and 3-0 mark in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference competition. The Vikings will take part in two matches at Sioux Empire Fitness on Sunday, Feb. 17. The Vikings will face Upper Iowa (2-2, 2-1 NSIC), who is ranked No. 8 in the Central Region, at 12:30 p.m. before taking on Southwest Minnesota State (0-1, 0-0 NSIC) at 5 p.m.
The streak is alive
The Vikings stretched their streak of regular season NSIC wins to 35 with their two wins over U-Mary and Minnesota State last week. The Vikings have won the past three NSIC titles and have their eyes on another flawless season and title to add to their trophy case. In conference play, the Vikings have posted a pair of 9-0 wins and an 8-1 win over U-Mary. The Vikings have won all 18 singles matches in the three team matches and done so I straight set fashion each time.
Gebauer, the great
Senior
Hannah Gebauer was named NSIC tennis Player of the Week by the conference on Tuesday afternoon. This is the first honor for Gebauer and the Vikings this season. The Sioux Falls, S.D. native has been named All-NSIC in each of her first three seasons on the Augustana women's tennis team and is well on her way to another all-conference selection.
Series histories
Augustana has posted great records against both of this weekend's opponents, but matches against Upper Iowa were nothing, if not hard fought. The Vikings are 4-1 all-time against the Peacocks, but only collecting one sweep in those five meetings. Since Augustana joined the NSIC for the 2009 spring season, Upper Iowa has finished top four in the final standings each season, including winning the regular season conference crown in 2008. On the other hand, the Vikings have experienced unbridled success against Southwest Minnesota State with little to no adversity. The Vikings are 6-0 all-time against the Mustangs, with three match wins at 9-0. Augustana did earn two close wins in 2009 and 2005, 5-4 in each of those meetings, but have dominated since, two 9-0 victories in the past two seasons.
Really early region rankings
Central Region rankings were initially released by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association on Nov. 16, 2012 and the Vikings appeared at No. 7 in the newly aligned region. The NSIC was joined by the Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletics Association and Great American Conference to form the new Central Region at the beginning of the season.
Katie Jesperson also appears in the singles rankings, checking in at No. 19.
Jessa Richards and
Hannah Gebauer garnered the honor of the eighth-place ranking in the doubles list. The next set of region rankings will be released Feb. 20.
Coaches' corner
Marc Kurtz is in his fifth season as the head coach for the Augustana women's tennis program and it has been a fruitful four years prior. After finishing in a tie for fourth in his first season, Kurtz has led his team to 33 straight NSIC victories and three straight conference titles. During his tenure, Kurtz owns a 73-22 overall dual match, record including a 39-3 conference mark.
Second serve
The Vikings trip to Duluth, Minn. for two NSIC road matches on Feb. 23. Augustana plays Minnesota, Crookston at 8 a.m. and finishing the trip with Minnesota Duluth at 11:30 a.m.
