Southeast Missouri State’s tennis team consists of talent from Florida to the international rankings of student-athletes who represent Southeast women’s tennis. Head coach Mary Beth Gunn is preparing the players for five invitational tournaments, two of which will be home matches for preseason play before the start of the next season. Southeast will start the season on Jan. 20th at the University of Columbia-Missouri.

The competition level at practice with the team players pushing each other makes the cream rise to the top. The players compete at practice and usually two or three of the players are having a good day on the court. Thursday Sept. 21st was a hot day at Southeast’s Tennis Complex before the team travels to Conway, Arkansas, to play in the Central Arkansas Invitational tournament Sept. 22 and 23.

Sophomore Oleksandra Doroshenko was named the Ohio Valley Conference Freshman of the Year this past spring, making her the second player at Southeast to receive the honor. Doroshenko brings experience and leadership to help accomplish the team goals for the upcoming season. Isabella Krupa junior, Kseniya Zonova sophomore, Anais Emelie junior, Maja Lundell freshman and Alessandra Maya Thompson freshman are the other student athletes on the team.

Southeast returns the No. 1 and 2 doubles teams for this upcoming season. “Doroshenko and Krupa had a great year together, Emelie and Zonova are the other players who competed great for us last season in doubles matches,” Gunn said.

These tournaments are great learning experiences for Southeast players. The players are not focused on the winning aspect as much as improving their game.

“There is not a lot of pressure during this time of the season to win, so we work on specific parts of our game to improve, they have flexibility on the court during these times, so we evaluate them and work on those things that will help us to be competitive in conference play is the goal,” Gunn said.

Southeast goes on the road for the first half of the season. Gunn believes the scheduling, travel and rest time play an important role in how the players perform away from home.

“The training staff does a great job in helping the players to stay healthy during the season and

the biggest thing for this weekend will be the heat plus a lot of match play, whoever is in the best shape will perform well this weekend,” Gunn said.

Southeast signed Thompson, who in the offseason was in the top 100 for the Spanish Women’s Open, which includes all of Spain.

“The fact that she was competing on that level in Spain grabbed my attention, so I’m excited to see what tournament play brings out in her. She brings great experience to the team,” Gunn said.

The offseason will be from now until December. Although limited, Gunn is able to work with players during this time to help improve. The players get a month off for the winter break, but return early before the season starts to get going. Gunn leaves the responsibility of staying in shape over the break to the players.

Southeast claimed academic awards at the Intercollegiate Tennis Association event in Tempe, Arizona, recently.

“We have fantastic academic support on campus, which helps us stay focused. As a team we strive to be the best in whatever we do, tennis or academics. Some players are pursuing degrees to be doctors and professionals in society. Keeping up with their grades allows them to go on to graduate school and beyond,” Gunn said.

Venus Williams visited Southeast recently and the team had a chance to meet with her.

“That was a huge event for us. The next day we had the best practice we’ve had all fall, it was inspiring. She gets what it means to be a tennis player, how you train and mentally prepare. She had some good advice for our team, it was a huge boost. She talked about having confidence on the court and it is something that will carry on the court before our matches,” Gunn said.

Southeast will play matches at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.Oct. 7 at the Southeast Tennis Complex.