MANKATO, Minn. – Minnesota State tennis begins play in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference this week, with a pair of matches at Winona Tennis Center. The Mavericks will play Minnesota Crookston on Saturday, February 14 at 1:30 p.m. CT and MSU Moorhead on Sunday, February 15 at 1:30 p.m. CT.
 
The Mavericks started the spring season with an exhibition at Gustavus Adolphus (L, 6-1) on Jan. 24 at Swanson Tennis Center. Freshman Julia Gurholt (Kimberly, Wis.) played No. 1 singles and teamed with senior McKenna DeMarce (Las Vegas, Nev.) at No. 1 doubles. DeMarce was named MSU's player to watch by the NSIC. In 2025, she held a 12-3 singles record (9-0 vs. NSIC opponents). She also posted an 11-5 doubles record (7-2 vs. NSIC) and was named All-NSIC First Team Singles and All-NSIC Second Team Doubles.
 
Minnesota State was ranked No. 2 in the 2026 NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Mavericks came in behind 15-time defending champion Augustana and ranked ahead of Sioux Falls, UMary and Minnesota Crookston.
 
Head coach Drew Hawthorne is in his first season after serving as assistant coach last spring. This year's roster features five seniors, one junior and five freshmen.
 
SCOUTING MINNESOTA CROOKSTON
The Golden Eagles also played Gustavus Adolphus in an exhibition this spring, falling 5-2 on Feb. 8. Josh Lunak is head coach. Last season, Minnesota Crookston finished 7-9 overall, 4-5 vs. NSIC opponents.
 
The Mavericks defeated UMC in their only matchup of last season 6-1 on April 5 in Bemidji, Minnesota. MSU took two of three doubles matches and five singles matches. The Mavericks are 16-0 head-to-head against UMC since 2010.
 
SCOUTING THE DRAGONS
The Dragons started the spring season with a 6-1 loss to Minnesota Crookston on Jan. 31 in Grand Forks, North Dakota. MSU Moorhead took the team doubles point with wins at No. 1 and No. 3.
 
MSU Moorhead senior Luzmary Diaz Castillo was named the conference Preseason Player of the Year. Diaz is coming off a record-setting season in 2024-25, securing All-NSIC First Team Singles and Doubles honors. The Maracay, Venezuela, product tallied 15 victories in singles action a season ago while also securing a school record 16 doubles wins alongside partner (and now assistant coach) Shaelyn Johnson. Diaz Castillo went 5-2 in NSIC singles play last season while also earning five doubles wins in league play. 
 
Damien O'Donnell is in his first season as head coach. The Mavericks hold a 10-9 edge in head-to-head matchups, dating back to 2010. Last season, MSU downed the Dragons 6-1 in Bismarck, North Dakota on Feb. 22.