CHICAGO – The University of Illinois Women's Tennis Team will host the ITA National Team Indoor Championship on February 7-10, 2020 at XS Tennis Village in Chicago, Ill. In its 33rd year of existence, this will be the first time the Orange and Blue has hosted and participated in the tournament.
"We are thrilled to have the ability to host and compete in one of our sports National Championships," said head coach Evan Clark. "I am extremely grateful to our administration for their willingness to take on this event and this is just another example of their high level of support for our women's tennis program."
The prestigious ITA National Team Indoor Championship features 15 teams that will qualify for the event by winning their respective 2020 ITA Kick-Off Weekend four-team regional. As the host site, Illinois receives an automatic bid to the event and exempt from competing in the Kick-Off Weekend.
The teams will compete in a single-elimination tournament over a four-day to crown a national indoor champion. Each team is guaranteed three matches at the event.
As the host venue XS Tennis Village is a brand-new, 112,000 square foot athletic and enrichment center located on the South Side of Chicago in the Washington Park neighborhood. The facility is the brainchild and passion project of Chicago native Kamau Murray, who envisioned a safe, positive environment for under-served youth to succeed academically through the sport of tennis. Murray currently coaches reigning Olympic Gold Medalist Monica Puig.
"We would also like to thank Kamau Murray for his support of the event and opening up his beautiful facility at the XS Tennis Village," noted Clark. "We believe his fantastic venue coupled with the event being hosted in Chicago will make for a great event for everyone."
The multi-million-dollar facility provides tennis programs and instruction for players of all ages and skill levels, in addition to academic services, health and wellness education, and youth mentoring. Last summer, the XS Tennis Village hosted the Oracle Challenger Series and a sold-out crowd for World TeamTennis Chicago.
More details on the championship tournament and the rest of the Illini's 2020 spring slate will be available closer to the start of the 2019-20 campaign.
"We are excited for the opportunity that this event provides for our program," said Clark. "We have made some significant strides over the past two years and hosting this event will help further that progress as we move forward."
About the ITA
The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) is committed to serving college tennis and returning the leaders of tomorrow. As the governing body of college tennis, the ITA oversees women's and men's varsity tennis at NCAA Divisions I, II and III, NAIA and Junior/Community College divisions. The ITA administers a comprehensive awards and rankings program for men's and women's varsity players, coaches and teams in all divisions, providing recognition for their accomplishments on and off the court. For more information on the ITA, visit the ITA website at www.itatennis.com, like the ITA on Facebook or follow @ITA_Tennis on Twitter and Instagram.
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