Southeast begins fall season this weekend

Southeast Missouri State's improving women's tennis team begins an abbreviated fall schedule Friday.

The Redhawks play the first of four fall tournaments when they compete in the Billiken Classic hosted by St. Louis University. The event concludes Saturday.

"We've been training hard for the last couple of weeks and it will be good to play some matches," third-year coach Jay Pacelli said. "I wouldn't call the fall an exhibition season, but it's very close to that.

"The fall play doesn't count on the records, but it's good to gain valuable experience. I think we'll get a lot out of it."

Pacelli, whose squad opens the primary spring season in early February, will be looking for continued progress from the Redhawks this year.

After taking over a Southeast program that ranked among the Ohio Valley Conference's worst for much of the past decade, Pacelli's first team two years ago went 1-21 as he was hired too late to do much recruiting.

But the Redhawks improved to 6-13 last season for their best record since 1997, and they also won two OVC matches after capturing just one the year before.

"I think we made a lot of progress last year, and I'm looking for more progress this season," Pacelli said. "I'm excited."

The Redhawks return five players from last season, led by sophomore twins Bryce and Drew Kristal. They filled Southeast's top two spots a year ago.

Also back are junior Kimmy Anderson from Jackson High School, junior Ashley Hooper and sophomore Miranda Petrea. Anderson and Hooper are currently out with injuries and won't compete this weekend.

Rounding out the squad are three newcomers: Luz Garcia, a junior transfer from Troy by way of Colombia; freshman Juliana Negosek from Brazil; and freshman walk-on Morgan Kemp from Fredericktown High School.