Going for the record books
April 9, 1998
Senior Sanem Berksoy and coach Judy Auld would like to get this weekend’s meet done and over with.
A victory for Berksoy against Wichita State University Saturday would tie her with Maureen Harney for SIUC’s all-time winningest women’s tennis player with 119 career singles victories.
Personally, I would like to get this weekend done and over with, Auld said. And hopefully, the hype will be over when the conference tournament begins.
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Auld has been keeping track of Berksoy’s record all season but refuses to discuss the record with Berksoy. Auld fears that if she talks with Berksoy about the record, it would distract her focus from the team.
Berksoy was unaware this week that she was only one victory away from the record. Regardless of the record, her main concern was to win each match to give her team a chance to win, according to Berksoy.
I just try to play the best I can, Berksoy said. If I don’t get any wins, I’m not helping the team win.
This weekend should have been the weekend in which Berksoy would have a chance not only to tie the record, but to break it as well. But Southwest Missouri State University canceled its scheduled matches with SIUC after the SMSU team was involved in a traffic accident on a spring break road trip.
The SMSU players had been cleared by doctors to play but are still suffering from whiplash and back pains, Auld said. The cancellations will affect the conference tournament, but until the coaches meet, seedings will be arranged prior to the tournament.
The Salukis will continue their scheduled match with Wichita State Saturday. Wichita is a solid team that has faced its share adversity lately, Auld said. At the beginning of the season, Wichita lost their No. 4 player, Allison Passmore, who left team for personal reasons.
In addition, No. 2 player Annette Hartmann’s status is day-to-day after suffering a rotator cuff injury. Auld is anticipating Hartmann will be at full strength to battle Berksoy.
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If Sanem ties the record, Auld said, it will be good to see someone so deserving accomplish something like that.
The SIUC men’s tennis team will honor seniors Mick Smyth and Brian Etzkin in its final home matches at SIUC Saturday and Sunday.
The Saluki men, who are 0-3 in the Missouri Valley Conference and 5-10 overall, face three more conference opponents this weekend in honoring their seniors. They face Illinois State University at 10 a.m. Saturday. On Sunday, SIUC faces Bradley University 9 a.m. and Indiana State University 3 p.m.
The Salukis’ best chance for a victory will be against an inexperienced Bradley team, coach Brad Iftner said. The Braves, who have four freshman on the team, lost to the Salukis 4-0 last April. The Salukis also finished ahead of the Braves in the conference tournament.
Bradley will be a very important match for the team, Iftner said. Lately, we have been the underdog in most of our matches. We’re going to have learn to handle being the favorite.
The Salukis will be the underdog when they face Illinois State. However, the Salukis have the advantage of having scouted the Redbirds earlier this season.
The Salukis end the weekend with MVC favorite Indiana State University. Indiana State finished third in the conference last year and is undefeated in MVC play this season.
We really need to win the doubles point to give ourselves the opportunity to win the team match, Iftner said.
The SIUC women’s team travels to Wichita, Kan., to face Wichita State University Saturday.
The SIUC men’s team will honor its seniors in its final home meets against Illinois State University Saturday and Bradley University and Indiana State University Sunday.
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