The SIUC women’s tennis team is starting the 1998 spring season with diversity of collegiate experience.

The Saluki’s spring season begins at 3 p.m. today against Oral Roberts University in St. Louis. Saturday, the Salukis take on Missouri Valley Conference-rival Creighton University at 10 a.m. and non-conference foe St. Louis University at 3 p.m.

The Salukis will depend on the experience and leadership of their three top seniors Sanem Berksoy, Molly Card and Helen Johnson. The three have combined for 285 singles victories.

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All three of the seniors have been unbelievable, coach Judy Auld said. It will be a hard class to replace.

Berksoy needs only 13 wins to pass to pass Maureen Harney (119) to become SIUC’s all-time winningest player. Her 79.5 percent winning percentage (107-34) makes her No. 3 all-time at SIUC.

It [breaking the record] is no pressure at all, Berksoy said. I will just take it one match at a time, and if I get it, I get it.

Junior college transfer players Jennifer Robison and Maria Villarreal have collegiate experience, but Auld knows it is an entirely different level of tennis at a junior college.

Robison compiled a 7-8 record in singles competition and was runner-up at the Indiana Invitational last fall. Villarreal played at the five spot in singles competition and the three spot in doubles competition, posting a 7-8 record in singles and 4-7 mark in doubles.

The most dependent upon the leadership of the others will be freshman Keri Crandall and Laura Waggoner. Crandall and Waggoner have been able to break into the collegiate level during the fall season and have learned what they need to do for the competitive spring season.

Crandall recorded an 8-9 mark in singles play, including a 7-6 record in the No. 6 singles spot during the fall season. Waggoner paired up with Crandall in doubles competition, posting a 9-6 record.

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The fall season definitely helped us out a lot, Crandall said. We had a lot of good competition in the fall to prepare for the spring season.

The Salukis have not competed since the ITA/Rolex II Midwest Championships Nov. 8, and Auld knows that her team is itching for competition.

I know we are ready, Auld said. I think the girls are tired of looking at each other and are ready for the competition.

The Salukis face off against Oral Roberts 3 p.m. today and Creighton and St. Louis University Saturday in St. Louis.