DENVER – The MSU Denver women's tennis team officially opens its spring schedule Saturday with a 3 p.m. regular-season dual against NCAA Division I opponent Northern Colorado.
 
The match will be played indoors at the Parker Racquet Club in Parker, Colo., where Northern Colorado is playing home matches this season.
 
MSU Denver went 4-0 against Division II foes in the fall portion of its schedule.
 
"I'm happy we're playing this match because it's good preparation to be able to play now," Metropolitan State University of Denver coach Josh Graetz said. "Because February is quiet. It's hard to play outside, and there's only so many places to play indoors. And we've already played pretty much all the teams in the area."
 
Because of snow in the past week, practicing has been difficult.
 
"We've been practicing indoors three times a week, which is crucial because we're playing indoors," Graetz said. "Playing indoors is very different than playing outdoors because of the speed of the ball. Are we ready? We obviously haven't been practicing quite as much as we'd like, but I assume they aren't either, so that may be pretty even."
 
MSU Denver played an exhibition dual indoors against Division I Air Force on Jan. 26, falling 7-0. Northern Colorado lost to Air Force by the same score on the same day in a regular-season meeting. Northern Colorado is 0-4 against Division I opponents.
 
"They have a good team," Graetz said. "But I think we have a good chance against them. It's a good matchup for our girls."
 
Northern Colorado earned a 6-1 win over MSU Denver last season, with the Roadrunners' victory coming from Helena Steenberg in No. 5 singles.

At the conclusion of the fall season, Brooklyn Ross was ranked No. 7 in the Division II South Central Region, while Tabitha Porter was No. 9.
 
"Everyone is ready to go and really excited," Graetz said. "There's nothing like playing matches."