Redhawks tennis team ends losing streak with 7-0 win

The Southeast Missouri State women's tennis team broke a four-match losing streak Friday by beating visiting Southern Illinois 7-0.

Southeast improved to 9-11, while SIU fell to 3-7.

The Redhawks dropped just one doubles match in blanking the Salukis. Luz Garcia and Julia Negosek both came back after dropping the first sets to win their matches.

"Southern Illinois is having a down year, but I don't think this program's ever beaten them," Southeast coach Jay Pacelli said. "So it's a great win for us."

The Redhawks, 1-6 in Ohio Valley Conference play, face OVC opponent Jacksonville State at 10 a.m. Sunday in Murray, Ky.

"We're still alive for making the conference tournament despite the poor OVC record," Pacelli said. "If we beat Jacksonville State then our chances are good."

The top six finishers in the 11-team OVC qualify for the tournament.

SOUTHEAST 7, SOUTHERN ILLINOIS 0

Singles

1. Bryce Kristal (SE) def. Maria Blanco 6-2, 6-0

2. Drew Kristal (SE) def. Zoya Honarmand 6-2, 6-3

3. Julia Masotti (SE) def. Amanda Taillefer 6-4, 6-2

4. Luz Garcia (SE) def. Zuzana Palovic 3-6, 7-5 (10-3)

5. Julia Negosek (SE) def. Laura Bredniak 4-6, 7-5 (10-5)

6. Kimmy Anderson (SE) def. Kathleen Maher 6-0, 6-1

Doubles

1. Kristal-Kristal (SE) def. Blanco-Palovic 8-3

2. Honarmand-Bredniak (SIU) def. Masotti-Negosek 9-7

3. Garcia-Morgan Kemp (SE) def. Taillefer-Maher 8-3

Football spring game

The Southeast football team will conclude spring drills under first-year coach Tony Samuel with its annual intrasquad game at 1 p.m. today at Houck Stadium. Admission is free.

The contest will pit the offense against the defense using a scoring system that awards points for accomplishments on both sides.

There will be four 10-minute quarters, with the first quarter using a regular clock and the last three quarters a running clock except for change of possession and the last 2 minutes of each half.

Track at Mississippi

The Southeast track program, coming off a strong showing during its own Gatorade Classic last weekend, will compete today at the Mississippi Invitational.

Two Southeast athletes were honored earlier this week by the OVC for their performances: Alonzo Nelson was named the track athlete of the week, and Andrew Lambert was named the field athlete of the week.

Nelson ran the 400-meter hurdles in a Gatorade Classic-record time of 51.44 seconds, which currently ranks him fourth in the nation. Nelson's time also qualified him for the NCAA regional.

Lambert won the Gatorade Classic high jump at 6 feet, 6 inches, which is the best height in the OVC this season. He also placed third in the long jump at 22-10 3/4.

Southeast sprinter Miles Smith has the nation's fastest time in the 400-meters after clocking 45.98 at the Gatorade Classic, which qualifies him for the NCAA regional. The time is also believed to be the fastest in the world so far this outdoor season, although no world rankings are currently available.

Heather Jenkins is qualified for the NCAA regional in three events, the shot put, discus and hammer throw.

Volleyball hosts event

The Southeast volleyball team will host seven teams today in a tournament at Houck Field House.

Southeast is in the midst of its spring exhibition season after going 2-1 and finishing third at a tournament hosted by Southern Illinois last week.

The Redhawks will play SIU at 9 a.m. today, followed by matches against Southern Indiana at 11:15 a.m. and St. Louis University at 1:15 p.m.

Jefferson Junior College, Southwestern Illinois College, Mineral Area Junior College and Washington University will also participate in the tournament.

Admission is free.

-- From staff reports