It seems that going 9-1 in the Ohio Valley Conference and 20-2 overall wasn’t enough for EIU junior tennis player Natalie Martin.

Martin earned first team All-OVC honors for the 2006-07 season. Along with doubles partner Hayley Homburg she became the first EIU women’s player to earn a national ranking as the tandem was ranked 56th.

But, now, Martin says her concentration is on the team. EIU finished third in the OVC last season, the highest finish since joining the conference ten years ago and Natalie is adamant about building upon that.

"We raised the bar and we are really excited about the upcoming season," says Martin when asked about this season’s expectations. "We have a good chance to win conference and the recognition we’ve gained will help motivate us to work towards that."

Natalie is also inspired by her aunt, Andree Martin. Andree earned her way into the Canadian Tennis Hall of Fame and has spent time touring on Grand Slam tournaments, including the U.S. and Australian Opens.

"It’s intimidating, especially when feeling the pressure to live up to expectations," says Martin. "It’s motivated me to get better and my aunt has emphasized how important it is to concentrate on having fun and enjoying the game. She’s been a great help to me and my tennis career since I started playing at age 5."

Natalie’s optimistic outlook on the upcoming season is consistent with head coach John Blackburn, who is entering his fourth third season at Eastern Illinois.

"Last year was a great year, we look to build on it and use it as a spring board, says Blackburn, who also notes that the accomplishments of players like Natalie and the team have opened doors for both recruiting and scheduling.

Story by Sam Hudson - EIU Sports Information Intern