Nov. 1, 2005

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Coming off a big week at the ITA Midwest Regionals, the Illinois women's tennis team is poised for big things at the seventh annual Midwest Blast, Nov. 3-6 at the Atkins Tennis Center. The Orange and Blue will welcome Notre Dame, Louisville and Wisconsin to the three-day event beginning on Friday. There will be no brackets for the competition; teams will have their players facing opponents from the same school at the same time in a mock dual-match format. Each team will play six singles matches and three doubles matches against all opponents. No team scores will be kept.

"The Midwest Blast is a celebration of tennis," head coach Sujay Lama said. "JoAnne and I have done this for the past seven years. When we designed the format we wanted it to not only be about competition but we wanted it to be enjoyable for the participants and as an opportunity for the fans to interact with the players. It is becoming one of the premiere fall tournaments and it's attracting a great field of participants."

The last time out, Ilinois' No. 1 doubles duo of Brianna Knue and Macall Harkins' lost a 9-8(2) heartbreaker in the quarterfinal round of the ITA Midwest Regional Championships while Momei Qu advanced to the round of 16 at the regional championships.

"This is the last event for the team before the dual match season begins and it is a way to finish on a high note," Lama said. "By now we know what the girls can do, but this format allows us a chance to experiment with the lineup and see how we stack up at certain positions. Our fan base has been increasing over the years and the Blast is a way to tie in the celebration of tennis with those fans."

A number of events are on the docket this weekend, including many on and off-court activities. On Friday evening, a tennis clinic will be held at 4 p.m. Following the clinic will be an autograph session with the Fighting Illini women's tennis. Live entertainment is scheduled with performances by Illini In Motion dance group and the Xtension Chords vocal group. The No. 2 Illinois men's gymnastics team will also be a part of the entertainment on Friday evening. In addition to the live performances, fans can enjoy face painting, balloon artists and many exciting prizes. The entertainment will occur between 4-6 p.m. and admission is free.

Here is this weekend's tournament schedule:

Friday, November 4
9 a.m. 	Doubles Matches: ILLINOIS vs. Wisconsin and Notre Dame vs. Louisville
10:30 a.m. 	Singles Matches: Wisconsin vs. Louisville
4 p.m.		Kids Tennis Clinic
4:45 p.m.	Autograph Session
5 p.m.	Entertainment (Performances by In Motion Dance Team and Extension Chords Vocal Group)
	Special appearance by No. 2 ILLINOIS Men's Gymnastics Team
6 p.m. 		Singles Matches: Notre Dame vs. ILLINOIS
Saturday, November 5
9:30 a.m.	Doubles Matches: ILLINOIS vs. Louisville and Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin
10:30	a.m.	Singles Matches: Notre Dame vs. Louisville
1 p.m.		Singles Matches: ILLINOIS vs. Wisconsin
Sunday, November 6
9 a.m.	Doubles Matches: ILLINOIS vs. Notre Dame and Wisconsin vs. Louisville
10 a.m. 	Singles Matches: ILLINOIS vs. Louisville
11:30 a.m.	Singles Matches: Wisconsin vs. Notre Dame