Nov. 3, 2010
URBANA, Ill. - The Illinois women's tennis team will conclude its fall slate this weekend with the 2010 Midwest Blast, Nov. 5-7, at Atkins Tennis Center in Urbana. The tournament, which is in its 10th year, will mark the lone home event of the fall for the Illini and will feature matches against Memphis, Notre Dame and Oklahoma.
"We're really excited to finish out the fall at our home courts," senior Annie McCarthy said. "We hosted it two years ago and it was awesome, but I think as a senior it will be even better. A lot of parents are coming out for the tournament, so it will be great to play a bunch of matches this weekend in front of our fans."
The Midwest Blast will round out the fall schedule for the Illini, which kept busy competing throughout September and October at tournaments hosted by Duke, UNLV and Michigan. Sophomore Rachael White currently leads the Orange and Blue with six wins on the year, followed by junior Amy Allin with four and McCarthy with three. White has also found much success in doubles, having posted five wins with freshman Allison Falkin en route to a runner-up finish at the ITA Midwest Regional Championships.
"It's a great opportunity to be hosting a tournament in the fall," assistant coach Georgia Rose said. "It's nice for the girls to play some matches at home after traveling a lot and it's especially nice for the freshmen to play on the home courts and in front of their families. It's a great opportunity for the fans to come out and see the team for the first time this season and how hard they've been working this fall."
Notre Dame, which made a run to the semifinals at the NCAA Championships last season, finished fifth in the final national rankings with an overall record of 26-4, while Oklahoma and Memphis did not make an NCAA Championship appearance in 2010. Oklahoma finished out the year ranked No. 42 after turning in an 18-7 overall record and Memphis is looking to rebound after capturing 13 wins last season.
Admission to the three-day event is free. Visit fightingillini.com for complete results and recap at the conclusion of each day's matches.
2010 Midwest Blast Schedule
Friday, Nov. 5
9 a.m. - Doubles
Illinois vs. Oklahoma
Notre Dame vs. Memphis
10:30 a.m. - Singles
Oklahoma vs. Memphis
6 p.m. - Singles
Illinois vs. Notre Dame
Saturday, Nov. 6
9:30 a.m. - Doubles
Illinois vs. Memphis
Notre Dame vs. Oklahoma
10:30 a.m. - Singles
Notre Dame vs. Memphis
1 p.m. - Singles
Illinois vs. Oklahoma
Sunday, Nov. 7
9 a.m. - Doubles
Illinois vs. Notre Dame
Oklahoma vs. Memphis
10 a.m. - Singles
Oklahoma vs. Notre Dame
12:30 p.m. - Singles
Illinois vs. Memphis
