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Laura Ballesteros
Sarah Twidwell

Tennis Preps for SIUE

| By: WIU Athletic Communications

Western Illinois ventures to SIUE on Wednesday (Feb. 12).

Match EIGHT

Who | Western Illinois (0-7) at SIUE (4-1) 
When | Wednesday (Feb. 12) at 1:30 p.m. 
Where | Edwardsville, Ill.  
Social Media | Twitter + Facebook #TRADITIONofTOUGH

First Serve | The Western Illinois women's tennis team continues the stretch of in-state matchups against SIUE on Wednesday (Feb. 12).   

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. 

Scouting SIUE | The Cougars host WIU after back-to-back wins over Butler (7-0) and McKendree (7-0). SIUE is led by Callaghan Adams and Maria Thibault who are both 4-1 in dual matches this season.

The Leathernecks last squared off against the in-state opponent last season and dropped 4-0. 

Strong Start | Nikhita Simhambhatla has already shined to start her Leatherneck career. The freshman led the team in the fall 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. Ballesteros won the No. 1 singles flight at the Quincy Invite and was part of 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. 

Up Next | Western Illinois continues battles gain in-state competition with both Bradley and Northern Illinois on Saturday (Feb. 22). 
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