Young tennis team eyes improved conference play

Women's Tennis

By: Matt Foust

Posted: 3/19/07

The University of Missouri-Kansas City women's tennis team opened the season Feb. 1 in Omaha, Neb., against the Bluejays of Creighton University. The team dropped the match with Creighton 7-0 and has since gone on to play South Dakota, Drake, Idaho and Southeast Missouri State.

The youthful women's squad has yet to win a match this season; however, the players are sure to mature and progress as the schedule plays out. There are 10 matches left on the Kangaroos schedule, as well as the Mid-Continent Conference Championships in Valparaiso, Ind., Apr. 20 and 21.

This year's team features juniors Nicole Kofron and Akshara Reddy, in addition to freshmen Suzanne Bott, Caitlin Burke and Holland Davis. The squad is directed by second-year head coach and Leawood, Kan., native Brad Scott. Coach Scott played for the Kangaroos from 2001-2003.

Although the team has taken some difficult losses early in the season, Scott believes the women will see improvement in conference play, which opens March 30 in Kansas City, against Western Illinois University.

"We're a pretty young team [and] we are working toward the future" Scott said. "[We] are looking to improve in conference and [the team] should be competitive."

The Roos' next match is scheduled for March 22 against the Panthers of Northern Iowa in Kansas City. The women will also play four consecutive conference matches this season against Western Illinois University, Southern Utah University, Oral Roberts University and Centenary College at the Plaza Tennis Center in Kansas City.

mfoust@unews.com