Huskers Gear Up for Double-Header

No. 32 Nebraska (3-1) vs.  Eastern Michigan (4-4)
Date: Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011
Location: Lincoln, Neb.
Venue: Nebraska Tennis Center
Start time: 9:30 a.m.

No. 32 Nebraska (3-1) vs. Northern Iowa (3-1)
Date: Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011
Location: Lincoln, Neb.
Venue: Nebraska Tennis Center
Start time: 3:30 p.m.

The Nebraska women's tennis team is preparing for a double-header this Saturday at the Nebraska Tennis Center.  The No. 32 Huskers (3-1) will face Eastern Michigan (4-4) at 9:30 a.m. and Northern Iowa (3-1) at 3:30 p.m. Nebraska is 6-0 all-time against Eastern Michigan and 8-0 all time against Northern Iowa.

NU's matches will run in conjunction with an action-packed day at the Nebraska Tennis Center. The men's tennis team will also be in play on Saturday with a 9 a.m. match against Western Michigan and a 7 p.m. match against Binghamton.

Nebraska Rises in Polls
The Huskers continue to edge up the polls, rising to No. 32 in the latest ITA/Campbell National Rankings released Tuesday.  Nebraska has defeated two of three ranked opponents on the court this spring, including No. 38 Boise State and No. 75 Wyoming.  This marks the fourth consecutive week this season in which the Huskers are ranked. It is also the third-highest rank ever achieved by a Nebraska women's tennis team, behind the 2005 season in which the Huskers achieved rankings of No. 30 and No. 31.

Tracking the Rankings
Date                 Rank
Jan. 4               #34
Jan. 25             #34
Feb. 3               #33
Feb. 8               #32

Scouting the Eastern Michigan Eagles
The Eagles are coming to Lincoln fresh off of a 0-7 loss to Michigan State on Feb. 6. Eastern Michigan has posted a 4-4 record so far this spring. All four of their victories have been 7-0 sweeps, while one of their losses came at the hands of No. 34 DePaul. Head coach Ryan Ray is in his fifth season coaching the Eagles and is 34-54 while at the helm of the program. Eastern Michigan returned six players from last year's 8-14 squad.  

Scouting the Northern Iowa Panthers
The Panthers travel to Nebraska with a three-dual win streak under their belts. Northern Iowa's only loss of the season has come at the hands of then-No. 30 Iowa on Jan. 22. All three of their wins have also been sweeps. Head coach Sachin Kirtane is 102-67 in his nine years of coaching the Panthers.

Huskers at 3-1 after Home Duals
The Nebraska women's tennis team hosted Wyoming and Illinois State last weekend at the Nebraska Tennis Center. The Huskers went 2-0 on the weekend, defeating No. 75 Wyoming (3-1) and Illinois State (0-3).

NU started the weekend on Friday with a dual against the Wyoming Cowgirls. Madeleine Geibert and Stefanie Weinstein started the Huskers off right, upsetting No. 62-ranked Simona Synkova and Kim van Ginkel of Wyoming in No. 1 doubles. Despite Wyoming taking the victory at the No. 3 spot, Nebraska was able to clinch the doubles point thanks to a hard-fought victory by Patricia Veresova and Janine Weinreich at the No. 2 position. The Huskers then sealed the deal by winning five of the six singles match-ups to defeat the Cowgirls, 6-1.

The Huskers took a break on Saturday and then took the court again on Sunday against the Illinois State Redbirds. NU burst out of the gates in doubles action, sweeping the Redbirds to take the doubles point for the dual. Action then moved onto the singles courts, where several dominant performances led the Huskers to their first 7-0 sweep of an opponent this season.

Follow the Huskers with Live Stats
Live stats will be available for both of Nebraska's matches this Saturday on Huskers.com. Click on the link at the top of the page to follow the action.