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Lucky Kancherla
Sarah Twidwell

Tennis Begins 2020 Campaign in Indy

| By: WIU Athletic Communications

Western takes on Butler Saturday (Jan. 18) and Western Kentucky on Sunday (Jan. 19).

Match ONE and TWO

Who | Western Illinois at Butler and vs. Western Kentucky 
When | Saturday, Jan. 18 at 6 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 19 at 10 a.m.
Where | Indianapolis, Ind. - Butler University 
Social Media | Twitter + Facebook #TRADITIONofTOUGH

First Serve | The Western Illinois women's tennis team begins the spring season in Indianapolis against Butler on Saturday (Jan. 18) and Western Kentucky Sunday (Jan. 19). 

The Hyden Era | On Aug. 12, Shawn Hyden was named the Western Illinois head women's tennis coach. Hyden comes from Earlham College, where he spent three years as the head men's and women's tennis coach.

During his tenure at Earlham, he led the women's tennis program to back-to-back Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament appearances in 2017 and 2018 – the first postseason berths in program history. Hyden also guided the men's tennis team to four consecutive appearances in the HCAC Tournament where they finished runners-up for the third straight season. 

Strong Start | Nikhita Simhambhatla has already shined to start her Leatherneck career. The freshman led the team in the fall slate with four victories in singles play. 

Lone Senior | In her final campaign as a Leatherneck, Laura Ballesteros was selected to The Summit League Player to Women's Tennis Preseason Athletes to Watch List. In the fall season, Ballesteros posted a 3-2 record with wins at the Olivet Nazarene Invitational and the Cougar Invite. She has totaled 22 careers single victories with seven in Summit League play. Last season she shined at the Quincy Invite, winning the No. 1 singles flight and the No. 1 and No. 2 doubles championships.

Fresh Five | Five new student-athletes joined the program for the 2019-20 season - Ericka Dawson, Lucky Kancherla, Nikhita Simhambhatla, Grace Stevens, and Mara Vidal. 

Lucky Laura | Both Laura Ballesteros and Lucky Kancherla teamed up in doubles play eight times in the fall season as the freshman and senior combination posted a 3-5 record. 

Up Next | Western Illinois travels to Southeastern Conference (SEC) member Missouri, for a doubleheader on Saturday (Jan. 25). 

 
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