THIS WEEK IN BILLIKEN TENNIS
Friday, Feb. 23 • Women vs. Northern Iowa • St. Clair Tennis Club • 1:30 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 24 • Men at Chicago State • Homewood, Ill. • 1:30 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 24 • Women at Chicago State • Homewood, Ill. • 5 p.m.
 
Three matches are on the slate for Saint Louis tennis this week. The Billiken women (3-0) host Northern Iowa Friday, Feb. 23, at 1:30 p.m. Both teams take on Chicago State the following day in Homewood, Ill., with the men's (3-1) match starting at 1:30 p.m. and the women's contest to follow.
 
Links for live results of all three matches are available on the tennis schedule pages on www.SLUBillikens.com.
 
WOMEN
Northern Iowa, a member of the Missouri Valley Conference, carries a 2-5 record. Chicago State, which competes in the Horizon League, brings a 3-9 mark into Saturday's match.
 
"We have our first back-to-back days of competition this weekend," head coach Justin Stuckey said. "Northern Iowa is an improved team from last year and has a lot of singles depth in their lineup. Chicago State will be a match in which our energy will be tested, especially as we get into singles. We really need to start singles the right way."
 
The Billikens are 3-0 for the first time since the 2015-16 campaign. They are seeking their first 4-0 start since the 2011-12 team began the season 7-0.
 
Three Billikens remain undefeated in dual-meet singles competition. Sandra Gines and Emmerson White are 3-0, while Nicolly Ferreira is 2-0. Ferreira and Norhan Hesham lead the way in doubles with a 3-0 mark.
 
Saint Louis blanked Eastern Illinois 7-0 in its only match last week.
 
MEN
Chicago State stands 1-8 on the season.
 
"Chicago State has been a good match for us the past few years," Stuckey said. "They are very well coached in doubles and play with a lot of energy. We have to be ready to make adjustments and keep improving how well we stay engaged in matches from start to finish."
 
Theo Ortis, Adam Behun and Valentin Vasquez own 2-1 dual-meet singles records. Ryota Fukushima and Luca Lo Nardo have teamed for a 2-0 doubles ledger.
 
Last week, the Billikens extended their winning streak to three with victories of 5-2 over Eastern Illinois and 4-3 over Austin Peay.