CHENEY, Wash. – The Eastern Washington University women's tennis team opens Big Sky Conference play welcoming two conference programs beginning with Montana on Mar. 5 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time at the Jim Thorpe Fieldhouse. The next day, the Eagles host Montana State on Mar. 6 at 10 a.m. PT.
The Eagles currently hold a 1-6 overall record and return to the courts after hosting Whitworth to a 5-2 win last Sunday.
"Starting Big Sky Conference play at home is definitely nice," said head coach
Dustin Hinson. "We know that all of the conference teams are tough and it is going to be really tight and very competitive this year. We look forward to the challenge ahead. Montana and Montana State have great programs and we expect a battle this weekend."
LAST TIME OUT: Eastern battled a tough program in Whitworth and dominated the match at the Jim Thorpe Fieldhouse last week. The Eagles fought for a 5-2 comeback victory after giving up the No. 3 doubles match and the No. 5 and 6 singles spots due to walkovers. The Eagles controlled the doubles play matches, allowing zero points across both the No. 1 and No. 2 positions.
In singles play, the Eagles allowed the opposition to score only five points across all four competitions. Additionally,
Kenzington Mann dominated at the No. 4 singles spot, shutting out her opponent in both sets (6-0, 6-0).
KNOWING YOUR OPPONENT: Montana
Montana is led by head coach Steve Ascher, who enters his 14th season at the helm and currently leads his team to a 4-7 overall and an 0-1 conference record after falling to Montana State (4-3) back in the middle of February. The Griz are currently on a four-match losing streak with their last win dated back to Feb. 18 against Dixie State (6-1).
The Eagles hold an all-time series record of 15-47 against the Grizzlies with a three-match winning streak, while head coach
Dustin Hinson is a winning 5-4 all-time against the Montana program.
KNOWING YOUR OPPONENT: Montana State
Montana State is led by head coach Jon Reeves, who enters his seventh season at the helm, currently leading his squad to a 4-9 overall and 1-0 conference record with the conference victory against the Montana (4-3). The Bobcats are on a two-match losing streak and return after falling in two away matches last weekend. Montana State will face Idaho on Friday, Mar. 4 before traveling to EWU on Sunday.
The Eagles hold an all-time series record of 2-40 against the Bobcats, but haven't lost since their first victory dating back to February of 2019. Eastern hosted Montana State for its first conference match of the 2019 season and found a 5-2 victory. Last season, the Eagles took down the Bobcats on the road in a 4-3 battle to solidify a two-match winning streak.
Up Next
The Eagles continue conference play on the road as they face Idaho State on Mar. 18 at 1 p.m. PT in Pocatello, Idaho. Two days later, the Eagles face Weber State in Ogden, Utah at 9 a.m. PT.
