Billings, Mont. – After a three week rest period the Montana State Billings men's and women's tennis teams kick things into high gear as they enter their Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference schedule this weekend matching up with Colorado Mesa University Friday, March 29 and Metropolitan State University of Denver Saturday, March 30.

MSUB Women's Tennis

Conwell and Loomis Interview

The women's team has battled through the growing pains of a young cast and has yet to capture a victory in 2013. Newcomer Madeline Loomis has captured two singles victories on the year while Kaitlin Nichols and Emily Paffhausen each have one in 2013.

Colorado Mesa's women's team is 8-12 on the year. Kristen Wykert has played well this season, and earned RMAC Player of the Week honors for the week of March 4-10. Colorado Mesa defeated the Yellowjackets twice last season (0-9, 0-5).

Metropolitan State is 8-12 overall and 1-0 in the RMAC. In 2012 the Roadrunners bested the Jackets in both of their matches (0-9, 0-9). Nicole Herrmann continues to impress in 2013, and recently received RMAC Player of the Week plaudits for the week of March 11-17.

The women's event will be held at the Elks Tennis Center located on 934 Lewis Avenue.

Opening serve for the Mavericks and MSU Billings women's match is set at 3:00 p.m. Friday, March 29. In their Saturday, March 30 event against Metro State, opening serve begins at 2:30 p.m. Seniors Libby Rutz and Amanda Milliard will be recognized before the contest.

“This is a very young team that has improved with every match,” stated head coach Lew Kosich. “We have the potential to play every ball, and surprise the voters in the pre-season polls.”

MSUB Men's Tennis

Fischer, Marimuthu, and Knutson Interview

The Yellowjackets' men's team currently sits at 3-9 on the year, with one of their wins coming over then 41^st ranked Sonoma State University. Christian Fischer and Brandon Beardsley have recorded the most singles wins this year with Fischer's eight leading the team. Beardsley has six singles victories in 2013. In doubles Fischer and Navin Marimuthu both have five wins on the season.

Colorado Mesa is 10-10 in 2013. Last season MSU Billings defeated the Mavericks in the regular season (7-2) and in the RMAC Championship Tournament (5-2). Jordan Lyden has been Colorado Mesa' best player thus far, earning Most Valuable Player honors in the ThunderWolves Tennis Classic hosted by CSU-Pueblo; and RMAC Player of the Week honors for the week of March 11-17.

Metro State currently sits at 8-11 and 1-0 in the conference. In 2012 MSU Billings defeated the Roadrunners 5-4 in the regular season but fell 1-5 in the RMAC Championship Tournament. Gabriel Vlahos has a team leading 10 singles wins on the year, and Jonathan Evangelista and Ryan Joyce lead the team with seven doubles victories.

The Yellowjacket men will host their events in the Tennis Bubble located on campus. MSUB and Colorado Mesa will begin play Friday, March 29 at 3:00 p.m. Opening serve between the Jackets and Metro State is set for 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 30. Seniors Navin Marimuthu and Brad Knutson will be honored before Saturday's contest. In MSU Billings men's tennis history, Marimuthu currently ranks No. 1 all-time in career singles, doubles and overall victories.

“This is what we have been preparing for,” stated Kosich. “No MSUB team has come into the conference season with the match experience that this team has. If we perform to our potential, we should do very well.”