March 7, 2007

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Junior Bryce Kristal (Pleasanton, Calif./Foothill) was named the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) female tennis Player of the Week Wednesday following her stellar performance in last weekend's first two conference matches at Samford and Jacksonville State. She finished 2-0 in No. 1 singles action and 1-1 in No. 1 doubles along with her twin sister, Drew Kristal (Pleasanton, Calif./Foothill). This is the first time in her career that she has received the honor. Sophomore Julia Masotti (Moji-Mirim, São Paulo, Brazil/Colegio Integral Aplicado) won the award in the final week of the 2006 season.

On Saturday, Kristal defeated Anna Jackson of Samford in a third set super tiebreaker, 6-4, 4-6, 10-8. On Sunday, she continued her strong play by beating Erin Higgs from Jacksonville State in straight sets, 6-1, 6-3. She and her sister Drew also won the No. 1 doubles match at JSU by an 8-6 margin over Higgs and Babette Lombardo. The singles victories ran her winning streak to four matches, dating back to Feb. 23 when she was victorious over Rebecca Miller of Central Arkansas. During the run, she has won eight of her last nine sets.

Kristal is currently 4-2 on the season in No. 1 singles and a perfect 2-0 in OVC play. On the doubles side, she and her sister are currently 4-3 overall, with a 1-1 mark in OVC competition. Kristal and the rest of the Redhawks tennis squad will be back in action on Friday at Arkansas State in Jonesboro, Ark. On Sunday, Southeast will host its first home tennis dual against conference foe Morehead State. The first serve of the home opener is scheduled for 9 a.m. at the Redhawks Tennis Complex located at the intersection of Bertling and Sprigg Streets in Cape Girardeau.