SOUTHEAST TENNIS, GOLF TO ENTER OVC TOURNEYS

Southeast Missouri State University's improving women's tennis team will look to make some noise in the Ohio Valley Conference Championships today and Monday in Nashville, Tenn.

The Otahkians came up short during their final regular-season match Tuesday, falling to visiting Harding University of Arkansas 7-2. Senior Valerie Vanderstappen won her match and combined with senior teammate Elena Novikova to prevail in doubles.

Southeast finished the season with an OVC record of 5-3 and an overall mark of 11-6. The Otahkians, who built on last year's 4-4 OVC mark, have continually improved under Coach Marla Reid.

Vanderstappen finished the regular season with a singles record of 16-3 and was an OVC Tournament finalist in 1994. She combined with Novikova to post a doubles record of 13-6 this year. Novikova wound up the campaign with a 15-2 mark.

Freshman Izabela Slowikowska was impressive in her first collegiate campaign, posting a 13-2 singles record.

Another freshman, Brigitte Stotter, finished her rookie season at 7-7 and combined with Slowikowska for a 9-6 record in doubles.

Sophomore Vicky Wood finished at 7-12 and matched up with freshman Michelle Gruber for a 9-6 doubles mark. Gruber went 5-8 in singles.

* Southeast's young men's golf team will try to unseat favored Middle Tennessee State when the OVC Championships are held today, Monday and Tuesday in Nashville.

Tribe coach Carroll Williams says the Blue Raiders rate as heavy favorites entering the meet.

"They're really strong and will be tough to beat," he said.