-GOLDEN GOPHERS OFF THIS WEEK - Minnesota (4-2 overall, 0-0 Big Ten) does not compete this weekend. The Golden Gophers will be home next weekend to start the conference season.

MINNESOTA RECENTLY - Minnesota split a pair of matches in Boston over the weekend. On Saturday, Minnesota and Harvard split the three singles matches, but Harvard swept the doubles matches to earn a 6-3 victory. Singles winners were senior Nora Sauska (Budapest Hungary/ Vorosmarty), senior Kim Simonsen (Chalfont, Pa./Central Bucks West) and newcomer Amy Thomas (Orchard Park, N.Y./ Orchard Park).

On Sunday, Minnesota swept the doubles matches in defeating Boston, 5-2. All four singles wins were in straight sets, led by newcomer Sandra Olsen's (Karlslunde, Denmark) win at No. 2 singles, defeating Christina Causway, 6-3, 6-1.

INDIVIDUALLY SPEAKING - Senior Kim Simonsen is on a four-match winning streak since moving to the No. 3 singles position. First-year athlete Sandra Olsen (Karlslunde, Denmark) has Minnesota's best singles record, with a 5-1 mark.

In doubles, the team of sophomore Jennifer Howard (Thornhill, Ontario/Thornlea) and Amy Thomas lead the way with a 5-1 mark, including a perfect 5-0 record at the No. 3 doubles position.

THE RANKINGS - Minnesota is ranked No. 56 in the latest national rankings, released Feb. 2. Senior Nora Sauska was ranked No. 59 in singles in the fall rankings, the most current for singles and doubles. The next rankings will be released Feb. 16.

THE COACH -Martin Novak is in his 10th season as head coach of the Minnesota women's tennis team. Last season, Novak guided the Golden Gophers to an 8-2 conference record and a tie for second place in the regular-season standings, the best mark in school history. Novak won his 100th match at Minnesota on Feb. 6 and has a 101-103 record at Minnesota.

UP NEXT -After a one-week break, Minnesota returns home to open the Big Ten Conference season. The Gophers host Ohio State on Friday, Feb. 25, and Penn State on Sunday, Feb. 27.