St. Louis - The MVC women's tennis pre-conference schedule has wrapped up, and league matches start this weekend with six matches on the slate, beginning Saturday, March 23.  All nine MVC women's tennis programs play at least one match over the weekend (Belmont, Illinois State, and Drake have two league matches scheduled).
 
Illinois State (9-5 overall) will have a big test this weekend as the Redbirds, picked second in the league's preseason poll visit both Belmont (Saturday) and Murray State (Sunday).  The Bruins and Racers were tied for third in the MVC preseason rankings.  Preseason favorite Drake visits Valparaiso (Saturday) and UIC (Sunday) to open MVC play.
 
Five league programs head into the opening weekend of league play with winning marks.

Singles Player of the Week - Agnes Gustaffson, UIC
Doubles Player of the Week - Cristina Flaquer Fusté and Nicole Ross, Missouri State