Big Tennis Weekend Planned on Alabama Campus
1/19/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
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* The University of Alabama women’s tennis team kicks off its season Friday at 5 p.m., hosting Louisville at the Hank Crisp Indoor Courts.
* Saturday at the indoor facility both the men’s and women’s teams will be on hand from 3-5 p.m. for their annual Tennis Playday. The event is open to all ages and skill levels. Participants will be able to meet the team and coaches, get instruction on their game as well as enjoy free food and prizes.
* Sunday the Alabama men’s team is in action at home for the first time this season, host Samford and Jacksonville State in the Alabama Kickoff Jamboree. Alabama will play Samford at 9 a.m. Samford and JSU will play at 1 p.m., with Alabama and Jacksonville State going at 5 p.m.
Women’s Notes:
** Alabama returns five players from last year’s SEC Westen Division Championship team. All five are sophomores. The Crimson Tide begins the season ranked No. 30 by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association
** 16 of Alabama’s 21 opponents this year are ranked in the ITA top 75. Eight are in the top 25, including Florida who is ranked No. 1 in the Nation. The SEC has 11 ranked teams.
** This will be the first meeting between Louisville and Alabama. The Cardinals were 22-7 last season under Greg Davis in his first year as Louisville head coach.
Men’s Notes:
** The UA men’s tennis team enters the season ranked No. 20 by the ITA. The senior duo of Stephen Mitchell and Chris Gostek are ranked No. 13 nationally in doubles.
** Alabama returns three seniors from a team that finished last season ranked No. 15 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of NCAA competition.
** These seniors have represented the University of Alabama in a combined 499 singles and doubles matches during their careers.
** The three seniors have a combined 182-106 (.632) singles record and a 131-83 (.612) doubles record.
