INDIANAPOLIS – A back-and-forth season for IUPUI women's tennis has the Jags (5-11, 1-0) scrapping for wins heading into April. A pair of matches this weekend will be IUPUI's final action at home as they transition into more steady conference play on the road. The squad will play at Butler on Saturday (Apr. 2) at 3 p.m. before hosting Denver on Sunday (Apr. 3) at 9:30 a.m at the West Indy Racquet Club. The Jags' remaining five matches in April will be on the road.
"Playing in Indy is always a huge positive for us," head coach
Marisa Lambropoulos said. "This weekend is particularly special since we'll be celebrating Senior Day for
Bobbi Modesto on Sunday."
Modesto has compiled an impressive senior campaign with seven singles victories dating back to the fall season. She went on a tear in early February reeling off four singles wins in six matches in just over a two-week spell. The doubles pairing of Modesto and
Mariella Pessina has been among the most successful of duos going back to the fall season as well. The pair has recorded five doubles wins, tied for the most of any duo on the squad.
Freshman
Brigitte Swartwood has been in top form throughout March winning her point in all three of IUPUI's matches this month. The Evansville, Ind. native reeled off a 6-3, 6-0 singles win against Furman as the lone point for the Jags in their last match. In the previous two matches, Swartwood notched two wins at No. 6 singles as well as a doubles victory with fellow freshman
Mariella Pessina.
"Brigitte and the whole team have really been working hard on the things they need to improve on," Lambropoulos said. "There's a purpose behind every practice and it's making a big difference in their games."
Butler (1-19, 0-1) will play at Dayton on Friday (Apr. 1) before hosting the Jags on Saturday (Apr. 2). The Bulldogs' only victory came against the University of Indianapolis on Feb. 12.
Denver arrives Sunday (Apr. 3) for a Summit League match at West Indy Racquet Club. The Pioneers boast a 15-2 record and a 2-0 record in the Summit League. Currently No. 31 in the ITA rankings, Denver's last loss came at the hands of New Mexico on Feb. 12. A tall task awaits the Jags, but not overlooking Butler on Saturday remains the focus.
"We definitely need to take the weekend one match at a time," Lambropoulos added. "Both matches are great opportunities and we'll come out ready to go both days."
