The University of Mississippi Athletics
No. 25 Rebels Set to Battle MSU
4/9/2015 | Women's Tennis
OXFORD, Miss. -- Saturday is a big day for the No.25 Ole Miss women's tennis team. They are set to battle in-state rival Mississippi State on Senior Day. It will mark the final home match for seniors Julia Jones, Erin Stephens and Iris Verboven.
The Rebels and Bulldogs will square off beginning at 1 p.m., at the Palmer/Salloum Tennis Center. Admission is free, and fans will receive free "Beat State" t-shirts. Prior to the match, the Rebels will recognize Jones, Stephens and Verboven for their accomplishments.
Ole Miss comes into Saturday's match at 13-9 overall and 4-8 in the SEC. In their last SEC action, the Rebels shut out Tennessee 4-0.
"Mississippi State has probably their best team in a long time if not ever," head coach Mark Beyers said. "They are a talented group, well-coached team, so it's going to be a battle. Their results show that. We're expecting a tough match, and it's going to take our best tennis to come out on top. It's always bittersweet to celebrate Senior Day. You're proud of them for their accomplishments, but it marks the end of the road for them. I am sure there will be a lot of emotions. Hopefully they'll be able to use some of those emotions and play their best matches of the year."
Recapping Tennessee and Arkansas Pine-Bluff ...
While in Knoxville, Senior Julia Jones came one step closer to joining the elite 100-club, picking up her 99th career win, with a 6-4, 6-3 victory against Joanna Henderson at No. 1 singles to clinch the Rebels' third shutout in SEC play and second straight win against the Lady Vols. The Rebels grabbed the doubles point with wins on courts two and three. Erin Stephens and Mai El Kamash won 8-5 at No. 2, and then Iris Verboven and Marija Milutinovic posted an 8-4 win at No. 3 to clinch the point. The Rebels would also pick up singles wins from Milutinovic and Stephens. Jones netted her 100th win on Monday by shutting out Elizabeth Perez in the Rebels 6-0 win against Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
Scouting Mississippi State ...
No. 43 Mississippi State (14-9, 4-8) is coming off consecutive losses on the road at Georgia and Tennessee. The Bulldogs are led by sophomore Jasmine Lee, who is ranked No. 40 in the nation in singles.
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Series ...
Ole Miss has won 25 straight in the series and has not lost to the Bulldogs since 1989. Last year, the Rebels defeated MSU 4-2 in Starkville.
Senior Day ...
Saturday's match against the Bulldogs is Senior Day. Seniors Julia Jones, Iris Verboven and Erin Stephens will be recognized prior to the match for their outstanding careers as Rebels. All three have helped lead the Rebels to three NCAA appearances in their career as well as a final ranking of No. 18 in 2012.
100 Wins and Counting ...
Senior Julia Jones, ranked No. 12 in the nation, is officially the seventh player in Ole Miss history to achieve 100 wins during her time as an Ole Miss Rebel. Jones' 100th career win gave her 27 for the year and she is now 17-4 at No. 1 singles. She needs three more wins to become the 10th player to record 30 in a season. To read more about Julia and her road to 100 wins, click here.
National Rankings ...
The Rebels are ranked No. 25 in the latest ITA National Rankings. In the singles rankings, senior Julia Jones is ranked No. 12, freshman Arianne Hartono is ranked No. 65 and freshman Natalie Suk is ranked No. 125. In doubles, junior Mai El Kamash and senior Erin Stephens are ranked No. 61.
Live Coverage ...
If you live out of town and can't make it to the match, you can follow the action with and on the live blog.
For more information on Ole Miss Women's Tennis, follow the Rebels on Twitter, @OleMissWTennis, on Facebook at OleMissWTennis and on Instagram at OleMissWTennis.
Players Mentioned
