The University of Mississippi Athletics
Rebel Netters To Host Tulane In First Outdoor Match
2/24/2011 | Men's Tennis
Feb. 24, 2011
OXFORD, Miss. - There is plenty of sports action going on this weekend at Ole Miss, and the No. 18 nationally ranked men's tennis team joins in the fun hosting Tulane Saturday at Noon at the Palmer/Salloum Tennis Center.
This will mark the beginning of a four-match homestand for the Rebels who enter the match at 3-2. Ole Miss has not played a match since defeating Mississippi State 4-0 to win the Mississippi Cup for the 12th consecutive year on Feb. 10.
"With the good weather we've been enjoying the last two weeks, it has given us a chance to really get used to the outside," head coach Billy Chadwick said. "We're going to have good weather on Saturday, and we want to encourage everybody to come by here before they go to the basketball game. It should be a great match."
Tulane comes into the match at 5-2 overall. They defeated Jackson State 7-0 in their last match. The Green Wave also played Mississippi State and lost 7-0. Tulane is led by sophomore Idan Mark who is 5-2 at No. 1 singles. He also teams with Radu Ionescu for a 5-1 record at No. 1 doubles.
"Their coach (Mark Booras) is the past assistant coach at LSU. He knows the SEC well, he knows big-time tennis. He's building a program down there," Chadwick said. "As most people know, after Hurricane Katrina they actually closed many of their sports including tennis. They're in the re-building process, and last year they made some big improvements. When we played them it was extremely competitive, and we're expecting them to be at the top of their game when they come here Saturday."
Senior Kalle Norberg said the Rebels are ready for their first outdoor match after a solid two weeks of practice.
"We are excited to play a match on Saturday. We've been practicing outside for a couple of weeks now, and everyone is ready to go. The weather has been good, which has made the transition [from indoors to outdoors] easier," Norberg said. "We are looking forward to having the next four matches at home, especially with the start of SEC play next weekend."
Admission to all home matches is free.
