April 10, 2008

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The No. 16 Illinois men's and No. 58 Illinois women's tennis teams are still near the top in the nation in attendance in 2008, announced the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) in their second attendance poll of the year today. The ITA, which began the tennis attendance race for the first time this season, is looking to recognize programs across the nation that draw in some of the largest fan bases in the country, and as expected, Illinois faithful are still leading the way. The second standings reflect matches from January through the end of March.

The Illini men still lead the nation in average attendance with 560 through nine home matches this season, and rank third overall in total attendance with 3,925 fans filling the Atkins Tennis Center this season to root on the top-20 ranked Fighting Illini. Illinois leads No. 1-ranked Virginia (545) and No. 25-ranked Texas A&M (471), who are ranked second and third, respectively, in average attendance. In total attendance, UI is third overall, following Virginia (5,424) and Texas A&M (4,716), who both have the advantage of playing outdoors for most of their matches in March, and almost three most home matches over the Illini added to their totals.

Illinois' match against top-ranked Virginia on Jan. 25 still remains as the highest fan attendance for a single match all season as 1,231 fans came to cheer on the Illini that night. The mark out-performs the second-highest fan getter by almost 300 fans in Virginia's home dual against Texas (983) on Feb. 29. The Illini also finished second in the month of March in overall attendance with 1,388 faithful visiting the Atkins Tennis Center, while it ranked third in average attendance in March at 462, behind Virginia (623) and Texas A&M (483).

As for the Illini women, they rank third in average attendance (165) behind No. 25-ranked Texas A&M (564) and No. 4-ranked Baylor (176). The Illini, who have only played at home five times all season, fell out of the overall attendance standings because of such few home matches to their name.

Huge thanks goes to the behind the scenes people instrumental in driving up attendance for this month's leaders. Those include Illinois' own Elizabeth Klatt, Assistant Director of Sports Marketing, and Illinois marketing graduate assistant Kolbe Kasper. The biggest thanks, however, goes out to the Illini faithful that have kept Illinois tennis among the nation's leaders in attendance all season long.

Fans are encouraged to still come out in masses to help Illinois finish the regular season strong, as the men's tennis team has only one weekend left of home matches when they take on No. 2 Ohio State and Indiana, while the women celebrate their home finale next weekend against Minnesota and Iowa.

For a full list of this month's leaders in Division I men and women's tennis, visit ITAtennis.com.