Sept. 25, 2014
WOMEN’S ALL-AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS – TOURNAMENT CENTRAL
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The University of Notre Dame women’s tennis team opens its 2014 fall season this weekend, as it welcomes in five teams for the Notre Dame Invitational at the Courtney Tennis Center.
Joining host Notre Dame in the event is Illinois, Purdue, Louisville, Tulane and Akron.
This weekend also marks the first time since the Eck Classic in 2010 that the Irish women have opened their fall season at home, although head coach Jay Louderback is more focused on the competition itself and the formation of his doubles teams.
“Our big thing is getting to play as many matches as we can,” Louderback said. “That’s the main thing. Also, this fall is going to be crucial for us to look at different doubles teams.
“We get to start doing that this weekend because we’re going to have different doubles pairs this year. We’ve got a lot to look at with doubles.”
The invitational consists of each player competing in three singles matches and two doubles contests during the course of the weekend.
Action gets underway Friday and Saturday at 10 a.m. (ET) and runs through the late afternoon, while Sunday’s competition begins at 9 a.m. (ET). The event is free and open to the public.
Meanwhile, assistant coach Catrina Thompson will accompany Irish players Quinn Gleason and Monica Robinson to the 2014 Riviera/Intercollegiate Tennis Association Women’s All-American Championships at the Riviera Tennis Club (Pacific Palisades, California).
Gleason is the eighth seed of the singles main draw alternate list and will more than likely begin her tournament in the qualifying round Sept. 30-Oct. 1. Robinson, meanwhile, is grouped into the pre-qualifying singles round and gets her week started Saturday (Sept. 27). The duo will also pair up to begin doubles competition in the qualifying round Sept. 30-Oct. 1).
“It’s going to be a great experience for them,” Louderback said. “They will have the opportunity to compete against some of the best players in the country at an elite national championship setting.”
Fans can follow all the action through UND.com, with full results from both tournaments posted to the website at the conclusion of each day.
Be sure to follow the Irish on Facebook (/NDWomensTennis) and on Twitter (@NDWomensTennis).
–Connor Killoren, Media Relations Student Assistant
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