Bama Women?s Tennis to Host Roberta Alison Fall Classic
9/27/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
TUSCALOOSA, Ala.- The University of Alabama women's tennis team opens its fall home campaign with the 21st annual Roberta Alison Fall Classic Friday, September 28. The tournament is held in the honor of one of the greatest female athletes in Alabama history.
"We are recognizing Roberta Alison this weekend in hosting our annual Roberta Alison Fall Classic,' said Alabama head coach Jenny Mainz. "Roberta Alison is a pioneer whom is to be admired for her courage and determination. We have all benefited and been afforded opportunities due to Roberta Alison's noble efforts to pursue her dream of playing collegiate tennis."
Roberta Alison became the first female tennis player at the Capstone in 1963 when she joined the men's tennis team. During her tenure, Alison gained recognition not only because she was the only female on an all men's squad, but also because she had great success in the men's league. Alison moved up the lineup and eventually played at the No. 1 spot her senior year. A two-time women's collegiate singles champion and the 1963 women's collegiate doubles champion, Alison paved the way for women's tennis at both the local and national level.
"We are excited to be hosting so many noteworthy schools this year," said Mainz. "We have a nice mix of universities ranging from Iowa to Florida State to five Alabama schools. The players are primed to compete at the Capstone and are looking forward to a lot of quality competition."
The 2007 tournament features 11 teams, three of which ended the season nationally ranked in the top 50. Along with host Alabama, Auburn, Mississippi State, Florida State, Troy University, Auburn-Montgomery, UNC-Greensboro, Belmont, Samford, Iowa and UNC-Charlotte will participate in the event. Among the competition are five nationally ranked singles players and two nationally ranked doubles tandems.
The Crimson Tide will showcase six newcomers to this year's squad in addition to its five veterans.
"Our goals are to advance from last weekend's results at the Milwaukee Classic making the necessary adjustments," said Mainz. "We are looking for more consistency from the team and more aggressive doubles play. It should be an outstanding weekend of exciting tennis."
The three-day round robin tournament kicks off at 9:00 a.m. Friday morning with the first two rounds of doubles and the first round of singles. Saturday the participants will compete in the third round of doubles along with the second round of singles. The final round of singles concludes the tournament on Sunday.
The ??Roberta Alison' is held at the UA Varsity Courts and the student recreation courts. The UA Varsity Courts are located across the street from the Student Recreation Center beside the UA softball field. The student recreation courts are located next door to the student recreation center and adjacent to the UA Varsity Courts.
In case of inclement weather, the tournament will move to the Hank Crisp Indoor Facility located adjacent to Coleman Colisuem.
Tournament information and complete results can be found at www.rolltide.com.
