KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan women's tennis team opens its Spring Season with three home matches at West Hills Athletic Club this Friday and Sunday.
The Broncos will host Marquette on Friday at 2 p.m. and then welcome Ferris State at 12 p.m. on Sunday, followed by Hillsdale College at 4 p.m. Admission is free.
MEET THE NEW BOSS
Western Michigan is under the leadership of first-year head coach Joelle Kissell. Kissell was hired on May 28, 2024, becoming the ninth head coach in program history and the fifth woman to lead the program.
After a stellar playing career at N.C. State, which saw her set the program record with 107 total wins and was a three-time First Team All-ACC selection. She began her coaching career as an assistant at Western Carolina in 2014. She went on to play professionally before resuming her coaching journey as a graduate assistant at Seton Hall (2018-21). Kissell then spent a season as an assistant at West Virginia before spending two seasons as Wichita State's top assistant. As an assistant, she helped the Shockers reach a national ranking as high as 55.
TWO NEW ADDITIONS
Two new faces have joined the Broncos to start the Spring Season in freshman
Marielou Baudouin and senior
Christine Gouws.
Baudouin hails from New South Wales, Australia and the city of Ocean Shores. Gouws comes to WMU after a stellar career at Eastern Illinois where she was a Second Team All-Ohio Valley Conference selection in 2023 after playing the entire season at No. 1 and No. 2 singles.
DOUBLE THE FUN
Sunday is one of two home double-headers on the schedule this season. WMU will host UIC and Oakland on Saturday, March 8 at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. to close out non-conference play.
HOME SWEET HOME
Western Michigan has 14 home matches this season, up from just nine last year. West Hills Athletic Club and Sorensen Courts have been tough places to play for opponents. Last season the Broncos were a perfect 9-0 at home, 7-3 in 2023 and 9-4 in 2022.
ON THE HORIZON
Next week the Broncos host Grand Valley State on Friday at 12:30 p.m. and then head to Notre Dame to take on the Fighting Irish on Saturday at 11 a.m.
