LAKELAND, Fla. - The Fire aim to get back on track after falling to Keiser's No. 4 and No. 11 men's and women's tennis teams last Saturday. A trio of matches are slated for the Fire in Mobile, Alabama spanning two days. There the Fire will square off against Spring Hill College, University of Mobile, and Loyola University New Orleans.
Men's Match 2: Southeastern University (0-1, The Sun Conference 0-1) at University of Mobile (0-0, Southern States Athletic Conference 0-0)
Women's Match 2: Southeastern University (0-1, The Sun Conference 0-1) at Spring Hill College (0-0, Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference 0-0)
Men's Match 3: Southeastern University (0-1, The Sun Conference 0-1) at Spring Hill College (0-0, Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference 0-0)
Women's Match 3: Southeastern University (0-1, The Sun Conference 0-1) at University of Mobile (0-0, Southern States Athletic Conference 0-0)
Men's Match 4: Southeastern University (0-1, The Sun Conference 0-1) at Loyola University (1-1, Southern States Athletic Conference 0-0)
Women's Match 4: Southeastern University (0-1, The Sun Conference 0-1) at Loyola University New Orleans (1-1, Southern States Athletic Conference 0-0)
Fire Men's Tennis: Although suffering a loss in their first match there were a few positives to make note of. The sophomore from Vitoria, Brazil, Lucca Marcheschi, had a solid showing even though he fell to the 19th ranked player. Overall, the Fire men were able to gain some valuable experience against ranked opponents as they launch into the 2017 season.
Fire Women's Tennis: In the most recent NAIA Coaches Poll the Fire are currently receiving votes. Their highest ranking last year was 19th and the Fire aim to reach that mark and improve upon it as the season progresses.
The Fire are led by the senior from Monroe, Michigan Kelsi Black. In her junior season, Black posted a 9-6 overall record with a 4-2 record playing in the #2 slot.
Melanie Dodd and Morgan Logue make up a duo that had a successful 2016 season and are off to a 1-0 start this season.
The Spring Hill Badgers: Head coach John Dotson will return four seniors, two on the men's team and two on the women's that he thinks will be able to lead the Badgers. The men finished one match above .500 last year going 13-12 while they dominated conference play posting a 10-3 record. They are led by both Alejandro Hastings Oro and Lars Bajohr. A native of Versmold, Germany, Bajohr played all last season at the #2 position and tallied an 8-8 record. Hastings, while not having the greatest of years last season, is looked to for his leadership and experience.
On the women's side, Maria Hastings Oro leads the Badgers on the No. 1 courts. In her sophomore season last year, Hastings Oro went 9-8 and 8-11 on the doubles courts with her partner Madison Artigues.
The University of Mobile Rams: The Rams are home to three players listed in the latest Oracle/ ITA Collegiate Tennis Rankings. Mariah Plauth is ranked 25th nationally and 9th in the South region in singles. The native of Florianopolis, Brazil was named a NAIA First-Team All-American last season with a 16-2 record at No. 1 singles.
Also making this list were both Tim Buehler and Mark Simons. The tandem is ranked 19th nationally and 4th in the South Region. Last year the 17th ranked men's team earned a host bid to the NAIA National Championship which marked their ninth-straight trip to the tournament.
Loyola Wolf Pack: Receiving votes in the NAIA preseason poll, the men suffered their first loss of the season against No. 2 Xavier last Sunday. In their win over Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, the No. 2-6 singles, as well as, all of the Wolf Pack's doubles pairings sealed victories.
On the women's side, the Wolf Pack are picked to finish 9th in the SSAC preseason coaches poll after a 1-17 2016 record. The team is composed of all underclassmen expect for one sole senior in Alexa Mancuso.
For updates on all of the action be sure to follow @SEUFireTennis on Twitter.
