Tennis | 2/3/2022 9:58:00 AM
MOORHEAD, Minn. -- The Minnesota State University Moorhead women's tennis team has been picked to finish sixth in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, according to a preseason polling of the league's coaches. MSUM opens the season this weekend in Winona, Minn., against Winona State and Upper Iowa at the Winona Tennis Center.
The Dragons will face Winona State at 6 p.m. on Friday and Upper Iowa at 9 a.m. on Saturday.
MSUM received 69 points in the poll. Augustana was picked to win the league.
The Dragons are led by seniors
Emma Andersen,
Mikaela Griechen and
Miranda Griechen. Andersen and
Mikaela Griechen, who was listed as MSUM's Player to Watch in the NSIC preseason preview, were each 10-2 in singles a year ago while
Miranda Griechen was 8-4.
Andersen and sophomore
Madison Bell teamed up for a 6-5 record in doubles a year ago.
Mikaela Griechen was 8-5 in doubles.
That group is joined by several newcomers -- junior
Emily Carpenter, and freshmen
Tia Dykema,
Greta Reichmann, and
Valerie Gall.
Jason Thiner will enter into his second season as head coach at MSUM. The Dragons were 9-4 a year ago.
About Winona State
The Warriors, picked to finish second in the NSIC, return an experienced lineup. Rachel Kelly was 15-1 in singles a year ago while Rina Niehoff was 13-2. Kelly and Niehoff teamed up for a 15-1 doubles mark as well. Tom Sanvik is entering his second season as head coach at Winona State.
About Upper Iowa
Upper Iowa, which is picked to finish ninth in the NSIC preseason poll, was 2-12 a year ago. Varvara Ogorodnikova was 7-5 in singles a year ago for the Peacocks while also going 7-5 in doubles. Lina Ziani was 7-7 in doubles last season. Leo Millet is in his sixth season as the Upper Iowa head coach.
