Tournament Central | Tournament Preview

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Fighting Illini women’s tennis team is set to host the USTA/ITA Midwest Regional for the second time in three years. Action will commence on Thursday, October 16 and continue through Tuesday, October 21 at the Atkins Tennis Center.

On Thursday the 48-player qualifying singles draw begins as Madie Baillon and Julia Jamieson see the first action for the Illini at 9:00 a.m. Jerricka Boone will take to the court at 10:15 a.m. and Jade Hilton at 3:00 p.m. after receiving a first-round bye.

The doubles competition begins on Friday with times still to be determined. Tandems for the event include Melissa Kopinski and Louise Kwong as well as Alexis Casati and Boone and Baillon and Grace Tapak. Hilton and Jamieson are listed as an alternate doubles team.

Head coach Michelle Dasso shared “Obviously the team is excited to be hosting the Midwest Regional. Not having to travel, being able to sleep in your own bed, and playing on courts you are used to is certainly a plus for the girls. I’m looking forward to taking a look at different doubles tandems and being able to tape the singles and doubles matches to break them down next week.”

Main draw action starts on Saturday. Kopinski, Casati and Kwong each earned a main draw selection.

Consolation matches will be available outdoors weather permitting.

More information, including live video links, can be found on the tournament website at http://www.fightingillini.com/sports/w-tennis/spec-rel/ita-regional-2014.html. Updates will be available on Twitter: @IlliniWTennis and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fighting-Illini-Womens-Tennis/297348180463556.