Oct. 11, 2001

Jennifer McGaffigan, ranked 70th nationally, competed today in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) All-American Tournament in Pacific Palisades, Calif. McGaffigan, a sophomore, was the team's only member participating this weekend. She had earned a spot in the main draw by virtue of her national singles championship on the summer collegiate circuit.

McGaffigan was pitted against Kim Niggemeyer of Fresno State, who is ranked 18th nationally. Niggermeyer ousted McGaffigan in straight-sets, 6-2, 6-1.

McGaffigan is the first Illinois player to compete in singles action at the All-American Tournament since 1991, when Kristi Meola and Lindsey Nimmo competed for the Illini. That year, Meola and Nimmo also appeared in the doubles draw.

The rest of the Fighting Illini team is training at the UI Atkins Tennis Center this week in preparation for its next competition, the ITA Midwest Regional Tournament, which takes place Oct. 25-30 in Madison, Wis.