SIUC men’s tennis coach Brad Iftner is challenging his players to Step up or get out.

Iftner is frustrated by the lack of intensity in practice that he has seen during competition. In his match point against Butler University, sophomore Kenny Hutz dove two or three times to save the point, according to Iftner.

That’s the kind of intensity we need, Iftner said. I am not seeing that in the other players. It is time for the others to step it up.

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Hutz has been the Salukis’ most productive player so far, winning three of his four singles matches last weekend. He has a team-best 9-4 season record and is 1-0 in conference play.

SIUC began Missouri Valley Conference play last weekend, falling to the University of Evansville 4-3. The Salukis continue conference play at home against defending MVC champions Wichita State University Saturday and Southwest Missouri State University Sunday.

I expect them to step up this weekend, Iftner said. I could not imagine not getting fired up for an MVC opponent.

Saturday, Wichita State brings a 5-6 season record and 1-0 conference record to face the 5-8, 0-1 Salukis. Even though the records are similar, Wichita has faced stronger competition, including nationally ranked teams.

We are the definite underdog, Iftner said. But everybody has good days and bad days. We are going to have to have all six guys play at the top of their games to get the win.

Southwest Missouri State brings in a 6-7 season record and a 0-1 conference record Sunday. The Bears may be slight favorites to Iftner, but he knows that this meet should be closer.

They [Wichita] are the huge favorite so we have no pressure, and Sunday [SMSU] will be gut check time since we are only a slight underdog, Iftner said.

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In women’s tennis, junior Jennifer Robison has seen her performances blossom since the outdoor season has begun.

The women’s SIUC tennis team began their outdoor season in Florida March 10, and Robison has posted an impressive 4-2 record in both singles and doubles play since.

I am not surprised, Robison said. Growing up playing outdoors, I have always had more confidence playing outside.

Robison’s success could not come at a better time, as SIUC begins Missouri Valley Conference play this weekend. The Salukis travel to Terre Haute, Ind., to face Illinois State University Saturday and Indiana State University Sunday.

It is a surprise most players like to play inside, coach Judy Auld said. The majority of the rest of the season is outside. The main thing is that she has picked up her level of play.

After a disappointing 5-9 start, Robison and the Salukis believe that they could have turned that around. The Salukis suffered their fourth 5-4 loss of the season last weekend, all of which could have been victories for the Salukis.

We could legitimately be 12-2, Auld said. We are a stronger team than our record shows.

As SIUC begins MVC play with a 5-9 record, Illinois State will be looking at the Salukis as underdogs. But Auld knows that the way her team has been improving, the team that has a better day will win.

I think we can go into this weekend with no pressure, Auld said. If we play with more focus, concentration, attitude and effort, we have a good chance of winning.

Indiana State will be without its No. 3 player, who is out after suffering from appendicitis. But the Salukis know it will take another solid performance to get the victory.

We have to play with 110 percent effort, Auld said. One-hundred percent will not win the match, but 110 will.

SIUC’s men’s tennis team continues MVC play at home this weekend, facing Wichita State University 9 a.m. Saturday and Southwest Missouri State University 9 a.m. Sunday.

The women’s team begins MVC play in Terre Haute, Ind., facing Illinois State University Saturday and Indiana State University Sunday.